BRANSON, Missouri (04/01/2024) - This season, Silver Dollar City hopes kindness spreads faster than the flames Baldknobbers set to the mining town in the 1880s. The historic night citizens saved the city is the backdrop for the all-new, $30 million Fire In The Hole which officially opened on March 30. In celebration of the record-breaking ride's debut season, the park will honor those heroes from long ago by recognizing HEROES OF TODAY who are making a difference in their hometowns through community service.

To commemorate its 64th season, Silver Dollar City Company will give away $64,000 in tickets to folks who impact their communities through volunteer work. Beginning today, fans are invited to nominate these HEROES OF TODAY at silverdollarcity.com/nominate. Monthly winners will receive four free tickets to Silver Dollar City.

"So many folks are stretched thin and pulled in all sorts of directions these days, but there's something impactful about slowing down and rolling up your sleeves to help friends and neighbors," says Brad Thomas, president of Silver Dollar City Company. "That's the giving, generous spirit of the Ozarks. I can't wait to see the even greater impact we —as a company and a community— can have on those who need us. The gift of your time is never wasted."

Love has long roots at Silver Dollar City that run deeper than the park's historic Marvel Cave. The company — founded on respect and kindness for others— invites its Citizens to join fans in this pledge of service in 2024, and they've already started. Their first project was a special visit to new friends who needed a dose of good cheer. Staff at The Rose House assisted living facility in Branson won't ever forget 98-year-old Maggie Schlichting's smile when a Silver Dollar Saloon girl twirled through the door with a pink carnation.

"She doesn't get many visitors so I could almost cry watching the joy that flower brought to her face," says Lindy Redding, manager of The Rose House. "Little kind gestures mean more to our residents than you could ever know. It truly is inspiring to see love put into action!"

Madison Foreman with Silver Dollar City spent the next several hours at the Rose House dancing from room to room and visiting residents.

"The idea is to flood our community with love and encourage others to give back through service to others," Foreman says. "It doesn't matter if you can give an hour a year or an hour a week, every second you spend helping someone is time well spent. Everyone can be a hero of today!"

All entries for The City's season-long HEROES OF TODAY contest will be judged on the volunteer's passion and enthusiasm for service as well as how he or she inspires others to also give back to their community. All winners will be notified by email a week after each monthly contest period ends. For full contest rules, visit silverdollarcity.com/nominate.