Expanded Thunder Ridge to open next month

Bass Pro Shops and Big Cedar Lodge founder Johnny Morris' plans for a professional bull-riding destination in the Ozarks are slated to get off the ground next month.

The expanded, Morris-owned Thunder Ridge property at Big Cedar Lodge in Ridgedale is scheduled to host a Sept. 23-25 bull-riding event featuring the Missouri Thunder, a new PBR team from Morris and Bass Pro, according to a news release. The plans were announced earlier this year.  The event next month, called Thunder Days, represents the first time local fans will get to experience the Missouri Thunder and the PBR Team Series that debuted in June. 

"We are so excited for Thunder Ridge to help showcase the true beauty of the Ozarks to our guests," Morris said in the release. "This will be a place for visitors of all ages to come and experience some of the best events and biggest names in entertainment, in a truly awe-inspiring environment, surrounded by nature.”

Located on 1,200 acres, Thunder Ridge has been expanded to increase capacity for roughly 50,000 guests from 10,000. Morris worked closely with contractors to transform Thunder Ridge Nature Arena while taking inspiration from venues including The Gorge Amphitheater in Quincy, Washington, and Red Rocks Amphitheater outside Denver.

The team coached by co-captains and bull-riding veterans Ross Coleman and Luke Snyder currently is in first place in the standings in the PBR Team Series, according to the release.

“Thunder Ridge is one of the most unique and beautiful venues that I have ever seen. It is truly breathtaking,” said Colten Fritzlan, one of the top individual riders in the PBR Team Series, in the release. “We can’t wait for Thunder Days to be able to put on a show for our fans and for bull-riding fans everywhere.”