Joplin Christmas Parade 2022; Christmas in Candy-Land, full live video

JOPLIN, Mo. – Freeman Health System organized the parade and volunteers from Freeman help to execute the Joplin Christmas Parade 2022! The theme this year: ‘Christmas in Candy-Land’.

It’s one of Joplin’s biggest holiday traditions. Funds generated by the 2022 Joplin Christmas Parade will go to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, an organization that makes miracles happen for local children with medical needs.

This year the Grand Marshal Chief Sloan Rowland of the Joplin Police Dept. He was escorted by his officers.  Chief Rowland will mark three years at the helm in just a few weeks.

There were more than 100 entries in the parade.

The weather was nearly perfect.  45° and light fog.

Watch the parade above from our FB page where we broadcast live from 4th and Main.

Stay with Joplin News First on KOAM News Now as we continue to cover Christmas events and stories all season long.  Scroll below and sign up for our JLNews email list so you don’t miss an article.

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1,300 + do the Turkey Trot in Downtown Joplin

JOPLIN, Mo. — It’s become a Thanksgiving tradition for many people, now in the 11th year, the Turkey Trot in Downtown Joplin.

More than 1,300 runners found it to be perfect weather, 49° and light mist falling.

Barricades are blocking Main Street from 2nd to 7th.

Locals will also see barricades along 4th street to the east and along Broadway into East Town.

Joplin’s largest stand alone 5K, this is a race you don’t want to miss!“ — STARLIT RUNNING CO.

The medals are a Gold Turkey!

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The Wizards take over Downtown Joplin

JOPLIN, Mo. — Traffic on Main Street in Joplin will be blocked on Saturday, October 1, for the 4th Annual Wizard Run.

“We are back! Grab your wand, hop on your broom, and join us for the 4th annual Wizard Run! Take a magical journey through town with wizardly sights and sounds along the way and a detour through a magical alley in the last mile!” — WIZARD RUN

SCHEDULE, OCT 1

  • 1 Mile Fun Run Start: 7:30a.m.
  • 5K Start: 8:00a.m.

Main Street will be closed from 7th to 2nd Street. The events begin at 511 S. Main Street.

Also they remind everyone that costumes are highly encouraged.

Its not too late to register. Click here for details.

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South Middle School students are beautifying Joplin

JOPLIN, Mo. — A group of middle school students are giving back to Joplin.

Saturday morning students volunteered their time to bring some color to downtown.

“It’s fun it helps beautify the city. It’s nice to have plants all around us,” said Orion Brewer, 8th grade volunteer.

Ten South Middle School students spent Saturday morning planting pansies on Main Street.

“It feels pretty good. It’s pretty cold outside, but its fun. We get to be with our friends and you know you’re doing a good thing and helping the community,” said Jacob Tatum, 8th grade volunteer.

The students were volunteering for National Honor Society community service hours.

“I thought it would be a fun time to hangout with my friends and serve the community,” said Tatum.

“It feels great. It was fun,” said Brewer.

Albert’s Greenhouse donated 260 six inch pots of pansies to fill the 55 planters downtown.

“This year we are doing the wave pansies downtown because the regular pansies don’t grow tall enough to grow out the edge of the planter. So we hope these will show up a little better and then about the end of May first of June the city will pull those out and we will put the summer planters,” said Albert Farris, Owner of Albert’s Greenhouse

Albert’s has been donating the potted plants over the last few years to beautify downtown.

“I grew up about six blocks from downtown Joplin so I’ve always kind of noticed it. It makes a big difference just driving down there. I drive down Main Street on my way to work every morning. It just kind of gives a little spark to you,” said Ferris.

Downtown Clean Team events begin Tuesday to beautify Joplin

JOPLIN, Mo. – The 2021 Downtown Clean Team, established by Downtown Joplin Alliance, will begin cleaning up the Downtown Joplin area through a series of events beginning Tuesday, March 2.

With the help of volunteers, the Clean Team events will focus on removing trash and improving the appearance of Downtown Joplin.

The events will take place one to three times per month from March through October of this year. They will last for one hour, between 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

On Tuesday, the Clean Team volunteers will meet at Joplin Avenue Coffee Company, located at 506 S Joplin Ave. in Joplin, at 5:30 p.m.

Downtown Joplin Alliance will provide the materials, such as trash bags, brooms and gloves, but you are welcome to bring your own.

Lori Haun, Executive Director for Downtown Joplin Alliance, says the Clean Team events are a simple way to get involved in helping your community.

“People just come out for an hour and it gives them an easy way to contribute to making their city a better place,” said Haun.

Partnering with Joplin Parks and Recreation, Downtown Joplin Alliance began hosting the events about 5 years ago. It all started when DJA realized that Downtown Joplin’s flower beds were in bad shape. Haun reached out to Joplin Parks and Rec for help.

“‘If you guys can get us some mulch, I’ll get some volunteers together. We’ll weed the beds, we’ll mulch the beds – they need to look better,'” Haun recalls telling Joplin Parks and Rec.

The cause has gradually grown and evolved. Starting last year, clean-up events have been taking place at least 16 times per year. The events will incorporate tending to flower beds again in the near future.

If you are interested in attending a Clean Team event, sign up to become a volunteer on the Clean Team’s sign-up page.

If you are unable to attend a Clean Team event but still want to help, Haun says you can focus on cleaning up your own neighborhood.

“Spend 30 minutes and pick up around your neighborhood, pick up along the streets… If everybody just picked up a few pieces of trash every time they went out, our city would be beautiful and clean,” said Haun. “Wouldn’t it be great if it was a whole city-wide thing?”

Contact Downtown Joplin Alliance with any questions at info@downtownjoplin.com or 417-501-9649.