Bridal Cave - Underground Opinion Poll

RELEASED: April 20th, 2009

Bridal Cave Celebrates 60 Years With Free Weddings

For Immediate Release,
(Camdenton, Missouri)

Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park recently announced plans to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the first wedding held in the cave's Bridal Chapel.

Mr. & Mrs. Basil Cole of Sedalia, Missouri were the first couple to exchange vows in the cave's stalactite adorned Bridal Chapel on June 1st of 1949. Since then a world record 2,150 couples from around the world have traveled to the cave to tie the knot.

To celebrate this milestone of 60 years of underground weddings, Bridal Cave will be performing FREE weddings on Monday June 1, 2009 from 9am to 6pm. The weddings will include use of the underground chapel, minister, music, flowers for the bride and groom, souvenir toasting flutes with sparkling cider, an 8 x 10 photo (extras photos available for a small additional charge) and a lifetime pass to Bridal Cave.

One of the wedding couples that day will also receive a special surprise - a honeymoon package at Tan-Tar-A, Lake of the Ozarks’ premier resort. "What better way to celebrate 60 years than with free weddings?" states David Thompson General Manager. Mr. Thompson went on to say, "With today's economic downturn, Bridal Cave’s complete wedding package in the underground chapel is an affordable way to tie the knot."

To make reservations you must call the Wedding Reservation Department at 573-346-2676. Reservations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis and space is limited.

For more information please contact David Thompson, General Manager at 573-346-2676 or via the cave's website www.bridalcave.com.

RELEASED: October 27, 2008

Bridal Cave performs "Underground Opinion Poll"

For Immediate Release,
(Camdenton, Missouri)

Eddie Miller, former manager of Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park, began the "Underground Opinion Poll" in 1968 as a way to predict the outcome of the Presidential election. This poll has been 100% accurate since its inception.

On each and every tour of Bridal Cave, guests are asked to vote using their ticket stub as a ballot and vote for the candidate of their choice. During the first 30 days of the poll the voter may choose between the major political candidates or choose to be undecided. For the final two weeks of the poll the undecided ballot box is removed and the voters must choose between the major candidates.

Due to the wide diversity of guests from the around the country who tour Bridal Cave, "The Underground Opinion Poll" has become a very accurate barometer of the Presidential election outcome. Every election since 1968 has been successfully predicted, including 1972 when the exact percentage of the popular vote was successfully predicted.

The results of the "Underground Opinion Poll" are as follows:

John McCain / Sarah Palin 58%

Barack Obama / Joe Biden 35%

UNDECIDED 7%

RELEASED: October 28, 2004

UNDERGROUND predicts George W. Bush to WIN the Presidential Election.

For Immediate Release,
(Camdenton, Missouri)

Underground Opinion Poll Final Results are:

GEORGE BUSH / DICK CHENEY 60%

JOHN KERRY / JOHN EDWARDS 32%

UNDECIDED 8%

Please scroll down to find out the details, history and contacts for more information on the "Underground Opinion Poll".

RELEASED: October 19, 2004

Bridal Cave performs "Underground Opinion Poll"

For Immediate Release,
(Camdenton, Missouri)

The latest results of the "Underground Opinion Poll" are as follows:

GEORGE BUSH / Dick Cheney 60%

JOHN KERRY / John Edwards 32%

UNDECIDED 8%

The final results of the "Underground Opinion Poll" will be released on October 28,2004. You may obtain these results via our web site at www.bridalcave.com, click on the Underground Opinion Poll or by contacting David Thompson, General Manager at 573-346-2676 or via email at info@bridalcave.com

RELEASED: November 20, 2001

Haunted Cave raises over $ 3,000.00 for Camdenton High School Choir

For Immediate Release,
(Camdenton, Missouri)

The Camdenton High School Choir's "The Nightmare Returns" at Bridal Cave was attended by over 500 visitors and raised over $3,000.00 for the group's travel fund. The travel fund will be used for the entire 300 members of the Camdenton Choir to attend a competition in New York this April.

This was the second year for the Camdenton High School Choir to bring this spooktacular event to Bridal Cave. Hundreds of man hours was spent planning the special effects and costume design for the over 50 characters found throughout the cave and park. Students and parents both volunteered their time and talent to put together this successful fund raiser. Next year's spooktacular is tentatively scheduled for October 25 & 26 of 2002.

Terri Higginbotham, Fund Raiser Board member, would like to extend a special thank you to all the volunteers and business who donated to the Camdenton High School Choir. The Businesses that made this event possible are: Bridal Cave, Farris Fruit & Vegetable Market, Camdenton Wal-Mart, Super Center Wal-Mart, Paul's Cashsaver, Woodland Scenics, Hedges Funeral Home, Modine Heat Transfer, Inc., Chief Communications, and the Missouri Department of Conservation.

RELEASED: November 13, 2001

Bridal Cave Scholarship Increased
Awarded Annually in Memory of Eddie and Faye Miller

For Immediate Release,
(Camdenton, Missouri)

The Board of Directors of Bridal Cave Development Co., Inc. announced that their annual college scholarship awarded to a Camdenton High School senior will be increased to $1000 beginning in 2002. The Board also announced that the scholarship will be awarded each year in the memory of Eddie and Faye Miller.

The Millers were ling-time employees and stockholders of Bridal Cave. Eddie Miller was the General Manager of the Cave from 1948, the first year of operation, to his retirement in 1974. Faye Miller was the manager of concession sales for the same period of time.

"Eddie and Faye Miller were dedicated, loyal and hard-working partners", John Dalton, President said. "Our family and the organization owe them a debt of gratitude. Throughout their 26 years with the Cave, Eddie and Faye were a positive influence on the many high school students who worked with us during the summer months. We felt that awarding the scholarship in their memory would be an appropriate and lasting tribute to these great people."

For over 30 years Bridal Cave has awarded an annual college scholarship to a deserving Camdenton High School senior in recognition of their overall high school achievements. "We are proud to be able to increase and continue our long-standing tradition of supporting the community's young people", Dalton said.

RELEASED: March 22, 2001

Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park appoint new General Manager

For Immediate Release,
(Camdenton, Missouri)

The Bridal Cave Board of Directors is proud to announce David Thompson as the new General Manager of Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park.

Mr. Thompson is a life long resident of the Lake of the Ozarks community. He is a graduate of Camdenton High School and attended Columbia Community College. Mr. Thompson began at Bridal Cave as a tour guide in 1991 and worked his way through the public relations department until he became the Caverns Operations Supervisor in 1995. In 1999 Mr. Thompson was placed in charge of the Maintenance Department for the park and cave facilities. As part of that department he was in charge of revamping the entire sign program of over 75 billboards across the state of Missouri.

Mr. Thompson will be in charge of all of the daily operations of the park including, cave tours, nature trails, educational programs as well as operation of the gift shop, rock shop, and snack center. Other duties include, staffing, budgeting, advertising and purchasing.

RELEASED: March 1, 2001

Local Business and Scholarship Fund Linked to Money Laundering.

For Immediate Release,
(Camdenton, Missouri)

Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park located just a few miles north of Camdenton, Missouri, was found with 2000 quarters, 3350 dimes, 2280 nickels, and 9800 pennies along with some heavy detergent on the spin cycle of a cement mixer.

The total amount retrieved from the wishing well for the year 2000 was 17, 430 coins totaling over $ 1,047.00, a record one year total. Once the money is collected the coins are then cleaned using a cement mixer and a strong detergent. This is to remove the excess grime that settles on the coins. The money is then rolled in coin wrappers, counted, and donated as a Camdenton High School Scholarship Fund. The Wishing Well is about 9ft long and 4ft deep and is located in the Giant Drapolite Room of Bridal Cave.

Eddie Miller began the wishing well program in 1968. Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park has collected change thrown into the wishing well and, over the past 32 years, 542,820 coins have been collected. During each tour, guides explain the use of the money and visitors generously toss in their loose change while of course making a wish for themselves. On occasion even a soggy dollar bill or two has been retrieved, as well as coins from all over the world.

The recipient of the scholarship will be selected by the Bridal Cave Board of Directors in the Spring of 2001. The scholarship is for a Camdenton High School graduate wishing to attend College or a Trade School. The selection of the student will be based on academic achievement and need. Please contact the Camdenton High School guidance counselor for more information.

RELEASED: November 15, 2000

Haunted Cave raises over $ 5,000.00 for Camdenton High School Choir

For Immediate Release,
(Camdenton, Missouri)

The Camdenton High School Choir's "The Nightmare Returns" at Bridal Cave was attended by almost 1.000 visitors and has raised over $ 5,000.00 for the group's travel fund. This travel fund will be used for the entire 300 member choir to attend a competition in New York in 2002.

"The Haunted Cave has been the most successful fundraiser to date for the the choir," states Trent Clayton, Choir Director. So much so, "that planning has already begun on making the Haunted Cave an annual fundraiser for the group." Next years spooktacular is tentatively scheduled for October 26 & 27 of 2001. "Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park are proud to host such a wholesome family event for Halloween", according to Steve Thompson General Manager of Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park. "We were impressed with the students and volunteers hard work in making this event so successful and are looking forward to next year."

Hundreds of volunteer man hours were put into set up, costuming over 50 characters, and installing the numerous special effects throughout the cave and park. Terri Higginbotham, Fund Raiser Board Member, would like to extend a special thank you to all of the volunteers and business who donated to the Camdenton High School Choir. The Businesses that made this event possible are: Bridal Cave, Camdenton Moose, The Butcher Shop, Midwest Air gas, Camdenton Sonic, Frito-Lay, Coca-Cola of the Ozarks, Camdenton Wal-Mart, Dave Bonacker, Camdenton Gerbes, and the Missouri Department of Conservation.

The next fundraiser will be a raffle of prizes donated by Woodlawn Scenics (mini train set valued at $ 1,400.00), Wal-Mart ($ 100.00 gift card), Save-A-Lot ($ 50.00 gift card), Village Green (Holiday Wreath), and Lakeview Resort (2 night Stay). Raffle tickets will be sold by Camdenton High School Choir or at First National Bank. Drawing to be held during the Christmas Concert December 100, 2000 at the Camdenton School.

RELEASED: November 1, 2000

UNDERGROUND predicts George W. Bush to WIN the Presidential Election.

For Immediate Release,
(Camdenton, Missouri)

Underground Opinion Poll Final Results are:

GEORGE BUSH/ DICK CHENEY 59.8%

AL GORE/JOE LIEBERMAN 32.1%

OTHER CANDIDATES 8.1%

Please scroll down to find out the details, history and contacts for more information on the "Underground Opinion Poll".

RELEASED: October 20, 2000

Bridal Cave performs "Underground Opinion Poll"

For Immediate Release,
(Camdenton, Missouri)

The latest results of the "Underground Opinion Poll" are as follows:

GEORGE BUSH / Dick Cheney 57%

AL GORE / Joe Lieberman 31%

UNDECIDED 12%

The final results of the "Underground Opinion Poll" will be released on November 2, 2000. You may obtain these results via our web site at www.bridalcave.com, click on the Underground Opinion Poll or by contacting Steve Thompson, General Manager at 573-346-2676 or via email at info@bridalcave.com.

RELEASED: October 2, 2000

Thompson elected as president of association

For Immediate Release,
(Camdenton, Missouri)

The fall meeting of the Missouri Caves Association was held this past September at Blanchard Springs Caverns in Mountain View, Arkansas.

The membership of the MCA announced the election of Steve Thompson as president of the association for the 2000-2001 term.

The MCA is a not for profit organization devoted to the conservation and preservation of Missouri Caves.

Communication and cooperation is maintained between member caves which are pledged t present Missouri Show Caves with good taste, courtesy and hospitality.

Thompson will oversee several ongoing MCA projects including the planning and printing of the association's new brochure and lobbying against Proposition A in the upcoming election.

For the past 25 years Thompson has been associated with Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park of Camdenton and is currently the general manager of the park.

RELEASED: March 15, 2000

Bridal Cave & Thunder Mountain Park Announces New Group Sales Director

For Immediate Release,
(Camdenton, Missouri)

General Manager / Vice President Steve Thompson is pleased to announce the promotion of Mrs. Melanie Parker as the new Group Sales Director for Bridal Cave & Thunder Mountain Park.

Melanie Parker was born in Springfield Missouri in 1973 and spent her childhood years in Ozark, Missouri. Mrs. Parker graduated from Ozark High School in 1991 and attended Rose State College in Mid West City, Oklahoma.

Melanie moved back to Missouri to attend a community college and began spending her summers working at Lake of the Ozarks. Falling in love with the lake area she then decided to make the Lake her permanent residence where she met her husband Jeff Parker who is employed with Village Marina. Melanie and Jeff are the proud parents of their young son Chase Parker. While visiting a friend at Lake of the Ozarks she stopped in for a tour of Bridal Cave and was very impressed with the massive formations and the overall beauty of the cave, so much so, that she inquired about a position with the company.

In the summer of 1997 Mrs. Parker signed on with Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park as part of the cave's Interpretive Staff and was promoted to Caverns Operations Supervisor in the fall of 1998. This spring she took on the duties of the first ever Group Sales Director for the park. Mrs. Parker's duties include: Public Relations, distribution of Bridal Cave and Thunder Mountain Park's lake area maps throughout Central Missouri. Group Sales and Marketing to Conventions, Family Reunions, Scouts, Churches, and Schools.

For more information please contact Melanie Parker, Group Sales Director at Bridal Cave & Thunder Mountain Park, 526 Bridal Cave Road, Camdenton, Missouri 65020, 573-346-2676 or via email at info@bridalcave.com