Celebrating the one who tells the story of Silver Dollar City

The opening day for Silver Dollar City's 2026 season is just around the corner. After enjoying some much-needed time off, Silver Dollar City citizens are busy sprucing up the park and getting things ready for a new year. But, for one SDC employee, her job never stops.

Brandei Clifton is the Senior Publicity Manager for Silver Dollar City Parks and Resorts.

"I like to consider myself the head cheerleader for our park, or the chief storyteller," said Clifton. "Keeping the story of our roots alive is so important to me as a lifelong fan of Silver Dollar City. This place shaped my childhood. It was the only vacation I ever took growing up as a little kid in Kansas. Every trip to Silver Dollar City was magical for me. I was starstruck by the citizens there who felt like friends. I remember getting little nibbles of peanut brittle from master candy maker June Ward when I'd visit. She was my version of a theme park princess to look up to. She still works here. This upcoming season will mark her 59th season."

Clifton (Photo submitted)

Compared to Ward, Clifton is still fairly new to her job at Silver Dollar City – on July third, she will celebrate her third at the city – a job that seems to fit her perfectly. Clifton was born in Topeka, and after years of visiting the Branson area and Silver Dollar City as a child, her family relocated to the Branson area when Clifton was just nine years old.

"I thought it was the absolute coolest thing ever to live in this area and to go to Silver Dollar City whenever I wanted," Clifton recalled. "I still pinch myself. I was always interviewing people growing up, using hair brushes or ice cream cones as microphones. The only time I was ever grounded growing up was actually at Silver Dollar City when I was interviewing my big sister and she wouldn't answer my questions. I flung my ice cream 'microphone' in her face and Dad took away my souvenir money. That meant I didn't get a personalized parasol on that trip, which is a big deal when you have a name spelled weird like mine."

Clifton graduated from Hollister High School in 1998 and studied journalism at Missouri State University, graduating in 2003. Soon after graduation, Clifton began working at KOLR 10 News, as a producer, combining her love of storytelling and her knowledge of journalism in a job that she said truly shaped her as a writer. It was a position she enjoyed until the hours no longer fit with the family life she was building.

"I married my college sweetheart, Trevor, who has put up with my crazy ideas for 25 years," noted Clifton. "He is my best editor and my best friend. I've loved watching the cool college boy I first met grow up to be the best dad to our college-aged kid now. It's been the best journey! We have three boys who bless us and stress us. Max plays golf at North Arkansas College and is a freshman there. It was so hard watching our first baby fly the nest, but at least he's close to home. Our middle son, Brody, is a sophomore at Branson High School. He is the sweetest soul, who can get along with anyone and inspires me to be more patient and loving in every interaction I have. Our youngest, Rookie, is a third grader. There's something so fun about the baby of the family. I swear there's a little old man soul in there. He's a blast and has such a sensitive heart. Those three boys are our pride and joy. They're going to do big things."

Brandei credits her parents for giving her a strong work ethic. "I was blessed with the best parents. They both worked tremendously hard," Clifton explained. "My mom set the example for me that a woman can have it all – a career and motherhood. I marveled at the way she juggled it all. I still marvel at her. I lost my dad 11 years ago, but I'm so grateful that his tough old bird Marine spirit still guides me when the days get hard. I hope to harness the best of them both."

After the birth of Clifton's children, she made a career shift that still encompassed her love of storytelling, as she became the Communications Manager at Cox Medical Center Branson.

Said Clifton, "Those nurses, doctors, administrators, housekeepers, cooks all became like family. I loved telling their stories and celebrating them. They are heroes. I will always see them like that. Leading the hospital's PR efforts through the COVID-19 pandemic blindsided me. There was no blueprint, so I crafted a strategy to share those gritty stories – those tough stories – of what it was really like for our team day-to-day, throughout that grueling period of time. I cried so many tears and grew at least five new layers of tough skin. Those years are where I gained grit and found a louder voice. I'm so very proud of that work, but it also gutted my morale. When the PR role opened at Silver Dollar City, it broke my heart to leave my hospital family but I knew I needed a change of scenery. I will never – no matter what – stop rooting for every single person inside our local hospital. They will forever be my heroes."

It was at the hospital that Clifton found the person who would become her mentor, not just at Cox, but also in future endeavors. Lynn Yaggy, now retired, served as the VP of Nursing during Clifton's time at Cox Medical Center.

"She taught me how to be strong on days you don't want to be and how to use my voice for the good of our community," said Clifton. "I learned so much from her and, she poured so much encouragement and love into my heart throughout the pandemic and beyond. She's the ultimate 'Boss Babe.' "

Brandei explained that her favorite part of her Silver Dollar City role is celebrating people. "I love writing stories about people who don't think they make a good story at all. They always have a story. I believe everyone does," said Clifton. "From those who sweep our streets to those who flip our funnel cakes, I know in my heart it takes all of us to give families the best visit ever! Ordinary people making extraordinary differences, just by being loving souls, are always worth celebrating. I'm honored to write a series of stories called 'Heart and Soul' at The City that does just that – honors the park's roots and its people who we are so lucky to get to love. Each and every citizen of Silver Dollar City fills my heart with tremendous joy and pride. They bring their best to each shift. Whether they drive a tram, flip a funnel cake, sweep our streets or sing in a show, every person matters here. It takes them all to give our guests the best visit ever!"

In telling the story of Silver Dollar City, Clifton has a lot of new information to share about the upcoming season.

"We'll be celebrating America's 250th birthday all summer long, starting with a kick-off concert on May 9, which will feature a lot of Branson entertainers folks know and love," noted Clifton. "We have so much new, fun merch making a debut, including a Cinnamon Bread Plushie, a line of items featuring the iconic print from our retail sacks, a light-up lantern that holds popcorn and can be refilled, etc. We also have a brand new Christmas parade coming this year. Stars, Lights and Christmas Nights will be twice as long and feature all new floats of Rudolph and his Friends. Our Showboat will relaunch on March 10 as Silver Dollar City's Showboat and feature a brand new show starring the Rivertown Ramblers, new meal and family-style seating. Changes to the boat will better anchor Silver Dollar City's Brand of Ozarks heritage and hospitality."

The Silver Dollar City Showboat sets sail on Tuesday, March 10. Silver Dollar City opens for the 2026 season on Friday, March 13, and the opening day for White Water is May 23.

With such a busy job one might wonder where Brandei finds her energy and drive.

"I drink pretty crazy amounts of coffee, but I think my fuel comes from knowing life is so short," said Clifton. "I want to make the most of every minute I'm above the ground. Every day we get is a gift. If we don't run, we rust. All of my life, I've been told I'm too loud, too happy, too something. But there is such a peace in finding your place. Your vibe attracts your tribe, and I've found my people here."