Plans announced for Joplin Fourth of July celebration

(From the City of Joplin)

Plans for the City of Joplin’s Independence Day Celebration have been confirmed by Joplin Parks and Recreation officials. The event will be held on Thursday, July 4th at Landreth Park.

The Celebration will begin at 3 p.m. with the opening of the food court. Various vendors will be selling funnel cakes, ice cream, hamburgers, hotdogs, pizza, shaved ice, and many more carnival-fare food items to those attending. In addition, a vendor selling “glow sticks” and other “glow toys” will be at the event this year.

Kicking off the event will be Duke Mason performing the national anthem at the start of his concert. Several local artists will the follow this performance, including The Jake Clark Band, and Big Smitty. The performance schedule will be as follows:

5:15 p.m. The Duke Mason Band

6:30 p.m. The Jake Clark Band

8 p.m. Big Smitty

9:45 p.m. Fireworks

Musical performances will lead up to the biggest fireworks show in the area, put on by Liberty Pyrotechnics. The main event of the evening, the fireworks show, begins at 9:45 p.m.
The City will offer free trolley service from Joplin Memorial Hall (7th & Joplin Streets) to Landreth Park. Persons may park at the Hall parking lot and ride the trolley to the Park to enjoy the festivities without worrying about traffic and parking at the event. This service is being offered from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

For those driving to the event, parking is available to the east of the park off of North Landreth Avenue. Murphy Boulevard from Pool Street to North Main Street will be closed at 2 p.m. Other roads in the area will remain open.

Please do not bring personal fireworks, grills or create any fires. We want to keep the park as safe as possible for everyone to enjoy.

For more information about this year’s celebration, contact Paul Bloomberg, recreation and events manager, at (417) 625-4750.