trick rider about to go through the ring of fire

5 of the Most Entertaining Moments at Dolly Parton’s Stampede in Branson

April 9, 2025

Dolly Parton’s Stampede in Branson is home to a world-class dinner and show experience that’s unlike any other! When you visit, there won’t be a minute of boredom. Every detail, from the menu to the grand finale, is carefully thought through to provide an unforgettable evening for all ages. Part of what makes the show so special is its family-friendly entertainment. There are mesmerizing moments that keep all audience members on their toes! Keep reading to learn about the five most entertaining moments at Dolly Parton’s Stampede in Branson:

1. Roman Ride of Fire

trick rider on horse

One of the most popular tricks during our Branson dinner show is called the Roman Ride of Fire. This impressive stunt involves one of our talented trick riders, two of our amazing horses, and real fire. The rider stands with one foot on each horse as the horses move side-by-side through a series of fast-paced maneuvers. They split columns of fire before leaping through a large ring of flames! The talents of our trick rider and our horses amaze everyone in the audience.

2. Butterfly Dreams Stunts

New for our 2025 season is our Butterfly Dreams segment. This special part of the show is inspired by Dolly Parton’s love of butterflies and involves both our horse and human performers! The stunts throughout this segment captivate the audience and take guests on a visual journey featuring winged horses, blooming flowers, and colorful butterflies. A highlight of Butterfly Dreams is the spectacular aerial display that combines equestrian stars and incredible aerial acrobatics. It’s a mesmerizing performance you won’t want to miss!

3. Breathtaking Aerial Performance

aerial act at Dolly Parton's Stampede

Speaking of aerial displays, we have a breathtaking aerial performance that is set to an original Dolly Parton song! This performance is filled with tricks that will keep your eyes glued to the air above the arena floor. It combines our magnificent equestrian stars with aerial acrobatics as Dolly’s vocals echo throughout the arena during a recording of her song “Wild Horses.”

4. Barrel Trick with Skeeter

In the mood for a little magic? The comedic barrel trick at Dolly Parton’s Stampede in Branson is known to leave audience members puzzled! It involves a member of the audience and our resident comedian, Skeeter. The audience member starts in one barrel and ends up in another, leaving both our emcee and our guests in awe! At the end of the trick, the audience member climbs out of a different barrel than the one they started in; however, no one actually sees the audience member switch barrels. Magic is the only way to explain the trick!

5. Pig and Chicken Races

Pig races at Dolly Parton's Stampede

For more family fun and audience participation, we’ve included live animal races! Our horses aren’t the only animals who get to have all the fun at our show — we also have chickens and pigs. Lucky audience members will have the opportunity to race pigs and chickens to see if they can come out on top! This is a great chance for kids in the audience to get involved and burn off some energy! Everyone in the audience will have a blast watching the races take place.