Route and parking outlined for Joplin Christmas parade
The City of Joplin reminds citizens that the annual Christmas Parade is set for Tuesday, December 7. Freeman Health System is the host for this year’s parade, which has the theme “Cruisin’ to Christmas”.
Officials with Freeman have announced that the parade will begin promptly at 6 p.m. The parade route will be from 15th and Main Street through 3rd and Main Street, with the parade judges stationed at 8th and Main Street. Volunteers helping with the parade can be found throughout the route, and will be identified by the orange vests that they will be wearing.
Parking will not be allowed along Main Street, starting at 10 a.m. on Tuesday. Accessible parking will be available at 8th and Main Street.
Please note that Main Street from 15th Street to 26th Street will close at 3 p.m. for staging the 100-plus entries in the event. This closure also includes all intersections. Starting at 4:30 p.m., the closure of Main Street will expand north to 2nd Street.
Because of these closures, the stops for the Sunshine Lamp Trolley will experience temporary changes for that afternoon, including:
- Trolley stops along Main Street located at 3rd, 6th, 10th, 15th, 20th, and 26th Streets will be moved one block west to Joplin Avenue starting at 3 p.m. and remain in effect for remainder of the day.
- The Green Route Trolley Stop at 25th will be moved to Virginia Street during the 3, 4 and 5 o’clock hours;
- The Green Route will end at 32nd and Main at 6:05 p.m.
If you have questions about these temporary changes, contact the Sunshine Lamp Trolley at 417-626-8609.
Travelers are encouraged to be extra cautious during this evening event. Sgt. Jared Delzell with the Joplin Police Department reminds residents about the street closures that occur prior and during the parade.
“We close Main Street as well as all intersections along the route for the parade from 26th Street to 3rd Street,” he said. “We encourage everyone to be extra cautious during this event. And if needing to cross Main Street, be sure to plan extra travel time in order to reach the far south or north end during the event.”
The line-up order for entries will be listed on Freeman Health System’s Facebook page on Monday, December 6.