During a news conference Thursday, Keith Thurman, director of the Outdoor Drama at Shepherd of the Hills in Branson, announced the venue will re-open. That includes the outdoor drama, the zip line and the Trail of Lights along with some new attractions including ATV trail rides, mini golf and additional zip lines. The play, a live reenactment of the book by Harold Bell Wright, will resume July 21, and, through September, will be the same as it always has been, according to Thurman. As of next season, he says there will be “significant improvements” made to the outdoor theatre and the entire homestead.
The facility will be renamed the Shepherd of the Hills Homestead Adventure Park. Jeff Johnson and Steve Faria (fuh-REE-uh) are its new owners.
Shepherd of the Hills closed in 2013 after 54 seasons.
Johnson’s grandfather operated the Shepherd of the Hills Motel on Highway 76 starting in the 60s and acted in the Outdoor Drama for about 25 years. He says when he heard the play was for sale he knew he had to try to buy it. He says it’s “a dream come true.”
