THUNDER RIDGE NATURE ARENA EXPEDITION!

When I learned that the Bass Pro Shops founder, Johnny Morris, had developed a massive piece of real estate in Ridgedale, Missouri, into an outdoor performance arena, I was intrigued and wanted to see what it looked like.  Since I was more interested in the organizational concept used in the planning, than in the actual performers, I bought a $37 ticket to a performance, with the headliner being country music artist Luke Bryan.  The price seemed reasonable, considering the week before, tickets to a Rolling Stones performance in the arena were $600 and up, according to their website.  The photo below shows the underpass one would drive beneath as they enter the campus.   

Since I am very parsimonious, and I  like to walk enough to get in 10,000 steps a day on my pedometer, I chose to park in the "drop off lot" across the 86 Highway from the campus, as there was no fee for parking in that lot.  I parked under a light, so that it would be easy to spot my car when it was time for me to drive home.

 

Another reason I parked where I did, was because the least expensive parking was $40, and to me it was confusing on the website which parking lot I was supposed to go to, if I purchased the forty dollar parking option.  In addition, the comments on social media by persons who had paid the parking fee, but still had problems parking, made me reluctant to purchase parking on line.  By walking from the entrance gate past the various parking lots, I gained a better understanding, of the parking situation.  The collage below shows the signs that designate the various areas. 

 

 

There is a shuttle available near the handicap parking lot.  A friend who went to the Rolling Stones concert said the line waiting on shuttles to drive them to their vehicles after the event was over, was extremely long, so they opted to walk back to their vehicle, rather than wait on a shuttle.  

The website said tailgating in the parking lots was allowed, and I saw a few people doing this, as well as playing cornhole, as they waited for the gates to the arena to open.  It is helpful to know in advance that portapotties are available in the parking lot, even before you enter the performance venue. 

 

The website emphasizes one MUST have their ticket available on their phone, and that a screen shot of the ticket is not sufficient.  Being an elderly member of the "Baby Boomer" generation, this caused me great concern.  And sure enough, the first person to try to scan my ticket could not get it to work, nor could the second person who tried to scan my ticket get it to show up on her device.  They told me to go over to the tent especially set up for people having "ticket issues".  Thankfully, however, two supervisors saw what was happening, and did something that only a supervisor can do, and "found me" on the Ticketmaster site to show I had indeed purchased a ticket.  Although I did not need to show it, I had brought my credit card bill with me, that proved I had actually purchased a ticket.    

Once past security (where they look inside your purse) to see if you have brought in any forbidden items, I was able to look around the waiting area, to see what was going to occupy my time, until the gates to the actual performance area were opened up.  The collage below shows there were hats, and leather goods, official Luke Bryan merchandise, jewelry, etc. for sale.  Considering the times we live in, I was not surprised to see that one could also buy the type of souvenir that you wear for the rest of your life, i.e., a tattoo.  I passed on that option. 

Several types of inflatable games were available, as well as tables and chairs under a tent--for those not into axe throwing, golf, or firearms. 

Bass Pro Shop had some of their wares on display, including kayaks and metal fishing boats.  Toyota had their fancy truck on display, complete with an elevated tent attached.  A rig like that would come in handy if the parking lots allowed overnight parking!  If you want overnight lodging in something besides a tent, check their website because combination hotel/arena ticket packages are available   The Bass Pro race car was also on display, and is shown below.

There were several types of food trucks in the "holding area", and a disc jockey kept the party music going to keep everyone is good spirits.  (Drinks with "spirits" were also available)

 

The photo below is a side view of the Veterans Tower, that I took when I was still in the holding area. According to their website, the facility rises 12 stories from its limestone and dolomite base.  Four of its floors will contain VIP suites with bedrooms.  

 

 

The stated goal of building Thunder Ridge, was to create America's most beautiful outdoor amphitheater, and the process is on-going (as shown by photo below, that I took on the day I visited).  Although I have not visited all the outdoor arenas in America, this is certainly the most beautiful one I have seen in the Ozarks.  It is hardly fair to compare Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado (see my blog in the archives dated June 1, 2011, for Red Rocks info), to Thunder Ridge Nature Arena, since they are completely different biomes. Also, the seating capacity of Red Rocks Amphitheater is 9,525,, which is approximately one half the capacity of Thunder Ridge.  (My blog dated June 26, 2009, tells about Palo Duro Canyon amphitheater in Texas; blog dated August 14, 2010, tells about Little House on the Prairie amphitheater in Mansfield, Missouri; blog dated September 4, 2017, tells about Eureka Springs, Arkansas amphitheater)

 

At a certain time, the announcer told people they could start lining up to "make a run for it" whenever the gates to the concert seating area were opened up.  People could buy general admission tickets to sit on the grassy hillside, or a ticket to sit in a folding chair on the concrete in front of the stage.  As I mentioned at the beginning, I was more interested in touring the venue, than in where I sat, so I waited until the line had completely cleared out before I started for the entrance.  By the way, I did not have to go through the hassle of once again trying to find the Ticketmaster info to get to the seating area.  I was very thankful for that!  There is a long concrete entrance way leading to the multistory entrance, and the building is made of field-stone, which is typical of many Johnny Morris properties.  By sitting at the top of the hill, guests can listen to live musicians and take in the view of 1200 acres of forested hillsides, Table Rock Lake, valleys, and inlets

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They had announced there would be an air show that afternoon, and the photo below shows one of the parachute performers, who is flying the Stars and Stripes as they soar over the arena.  If you have a physical handicap, (and don't want to be dropped by parachute!), check the website for arrangements that can be made to accommodate your special needs.

 

 

 

The Bible talks about how crowds of people gathered on a hillside, to listen to the teachings of Jesus.  Then the crowds got hungry, but there was no food.  This is how the passage reads in Matthew 14:15-16.  {"As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, "This is a remote place, and it's already getting late.  Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food."  Jesus  replied, "They do not need to go away.  You give them something to eat."  }  Since Ridgedale, Missouri, is also a remote place, the planners of Thunder Ridge, anticipated the challenges of feeding thousands of people (and probably wanted an additional revenue stream), so they  included the Marketplace, where there is a plentiful supply of food, suitable for feeding the masses, that have gathered on the hillside.  .

The Marketplace has an assortment of food, being kept warm inside heated display areas.  The prices are shown in collage below.  There are no humans taking your money to pay for the items you choose.  Rather, you sat the item you want under the "photo robot", who tells the credit card reader what to charge you.  I had the chicken strips, and since I was very hungry, they tasted great.  I had read on the website, that one can take in an empty water bottle, so I had brought one with me, and filled it up at the special fountain designed specifically for water bottle refills (thank you Johnny Morris!  This helps cut down on plastic usage!)

 

Because of the GIGANTIC screens on both sides of the stage, you can see the faces of the performers, even if you are a long way off.  The actual performer with a microphone, is the tiny dot in the midst of all the blackness!

One can purchase seats to watch a performance in the air conditioned comfort of the Veterans Tower. Plus, according to the website, the cuisine offered in the Veterans Tower is much more upscale, than what can be purchased at the Marketplace below.  The restrooms inside the arena were clean, with flush toilets, and running water. 

 

The glass pyramid on top of the stage has the Bass Pro logo, and supports a giant USA flag.  The concrete area to the left of the stage in this photo, is by special ticketing only.  Depending on the popularity of the performer, that concrete area can have folding chairs placed on it for additional seating 

The area at the base of the grassy hill also has tents selling merchandise and food, with portapotties adjacent to them.  Notice Table Rock Lake can be seen in the distance. 

There was also a foodservice area on the far side of the venue, and they were adequately staffed for lots of customers, when I was there.  Speaking of staffing, Thunder Ridge Nature Arena is managed by ASM Global ( www.asmglobal.com).  Their website says they are the world's leading venue management company and producer of live event experiences.  

 

The deck beside their service bar would be a beautiful place to observe an Ozark sunset!  The Thunder Ridge website says the arena has a seating capacity of 20,000, which leads me to think that more tables and chairs could be added to this deck, if needed.  The staff told me this seating deck did not have any restrictions--anyone could sit there, regardless of the type of ticket they purchased. 

Seeing the sun sink behind the stage is a good clue that the stage is on the west end of the arena, and the Veterans Tower (which the website calls "The Nature Tower"), directly on a hill in front of the stage, is on the east side of the arena. 

The photo below shows me at the top of the hillside seating, with the stage, and thousands of concert goers, behind me.  The hillside has been landscaped, so that circular terraces provide seating, without having to fear rolling down the mountain!

If you would like to plan a trip to see this remarkable venue, visit www.thunderridgenaturearena.com .  Their address is 1901 State Highway 86, Ridgedale, Missouri  65739.
Thunder Ridge Nature Arena property's land, and all buildings/infrastructure, have been donated and permanently set aside as part of a not-for-profit foundation, committed to the cause of conservation. It is called the Johnny Morris Conservation Foundation.  Recently, at a Missouri tourism conference, someone referred to Johnny Morris, as "the Walt Disney of the Ozarks", and after seeing a documentary on Walt Disney, I can see definite similarities!  Johnny Morris, himself,  likes to call this amphitheater a  "musical postcard from Mother Nature", saying " it is a gift to the people and heritage of the Ozarks."  I say, "THANK YOU"!  Getting to see this new performance venue in the Ozarks gave me "MILES OF SMILES"! Tricia