Friday, May 23, 2025

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Good Morning, Joplin. I’d like to introduce you to a dear friend of mine… the weekend.

In today’s JOMO Jive:

• How to Have a Safe Memorial Day Weekend

• The Silver Sage Renaissance Festival

Let’s get to it.

— Matt Thompson

P.S. If you find something useful in today’s Jive, please share it with someone who pronounces it “Schiff-N-Decker”.

SPONSORED BY ARVEST BANK - MILLION MEALS

Bringing Holiday Hope to Newton County

Newton County Food Basket Brigade is one of 11 local food partners we’re highlighting through Arvest’s Million Meals campaign. For 37 years, this all-volunteer nonprofit has provided holiday food baskets to nearly 1,000 families annually in Neosho and surrounding communities.

Each December, hundreds of volunteers gather at the Newton County Fairgrounds to assemble and distribute baskets filled with essentials — ensuring no family faces the holidays hungry.

✅ Donate online, in the Arvest Go app, by phone, or at any branch.

Your support helps bring warmth and nourishment to neighbors in need.
arvest.com/millionmeals

🚤 How to Have a Safe Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day Weekend is Here — Let’s Keep It Safe, Joplin

It’s the unofficial start of summer—barbecues, sunshine, road trips, and good vibes. But with all that fun comes a few risks worth remembering. Here’s how to keep your Memorial Day weekend memorable for the right reasons—with a few eye-opening stats along the way.

🔥 Grilling Safety

Dust off that grill—but do it safely. Always clean off grease build-up, check propane lines, and grill at least 10 feet away from your home or overhanging branches. Never leave it unattended, and keep kids and pets clear of hot surfaces.

Memorial Day Stat:
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, grill fires spike by 25% on Memorial Day weekend, making it one of the most fire-prone holidays of the year.

🚗 Travel Smart

More cars. More traffic. More accidents. Before you hit the road, make sure your vehicle is ready: check fluids, tires, and brakes. Plan your route and avoid distractions. Always wear your seatbelt—and if you’re drinking, don’t drive. Period.

Missouri Stat:
In 2023, Missouri saw 942 crashes, 11 fatalities, and 457 injuries over Memorial Day weekend. There were also 121 DWI arrests, according to the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

🍗 Food Safety

We know you're eyeballing that second helping of potato salad—but don’t let poor food handling land you in the ER. Keep cold foods below 40°F, hot foods above 140°F, and don’t leave anything out for more than two hours. And yes—wash your hands!

Memorial Day Stat:
The USDA reports that foodborne illnesses increase during Memorial Day weekend due to higher temps, outdoor cooking, and improper food storage.

☀️ Sun & Heat Safety

Sunscreen isn’t just for the beach. Apply SPF 30+ liberally, reapply every two hours (or more if swimming), and drink plenty of water. Heat exhaustion can sneak up fast.

Memorial Day Stat:
Emergency rooms across the country see a sharp uptick in heat-related visits starting Memorial Day weekend, particularly among children and older adults, per CDC seasonal tracking.

Whether you're flipping burgers, hitting the road, or catching rays at the lake, remember: the best weekends are the ones you walk away from in one piece. Let’s stay safe out there.

⚔️ The Silver Sage Renaissance Festival is Here!

Get ready, Joplin—the Silver Sage Renaissance Festival is storming the gates of Landreth Park (1001 NW Murphy Blvd, Joplin, MO) this Memorial Day Weekend, May 24–26! Whether you're into knights and dragons or kettle corn and cosplay, this three-day celebration brings the magic of the Renaissance to life. This is a rain or shine event!

🧙‍♀️ Festival Highlights:

• Wandering performers, stage shows & sword fights

• 60+ vendors with handcrafted goods, potions & treasures

• Turkey legs, sweet treats, and drinks fit for royalty

• Family-friendly fun: face painting, games, and interactive activities

• Come in costume or just come for the fun—everyone’s welcome!

Mark your calendars, call your crew, and plan your look—this is one event you don’t want to miss. It's not just a festival, it’s a full-on adventure through time.

✨ Learn more at ssrf-village.org or follow them on Facebook for updates.

Friday: 🌡️ 53 | 72 🌧️ 65%

Saturday: 🌡️ 60 | 73 ⛈️ 90%

Sunday: 🌡️ 61 | 68 🌧️ 90%

Upcoming:

🏃 Men’s and Women’s Track & Field
2025 NCAA DII Outdoor Track & Field National Championships, held May 22–24 in Pueblo, Colorado. Check back on Monday for a full result!

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Family Fun

5/24–5/26 🏰 Jousts, jesters & turkey legs: Silver Sage Renaissance Festival returns to Landreth Park for Memorial Day weekend! Enjoy live shows, fantasy vendors, food, and family fun all day long.

Food & Drink

5/24 🌸 Bees, blooms & backyard trees: Empire Market’s Spring Market runs 10:00 AM–2:00 PM with free native seedlings (one per household), a native plant scavenger hunt, opera in the gardens, fresh flowers, wine spritzes, and more.

Arts, Crafts & Culture

5/23–5/25 🎨 Creative weekend: Create N Sip Choose your adventure with Open Paint Studio, tackle the Paint Your Bestie Challenge, or join Family Paint sessions featuring a colorful cherry piece or a patriotic sunflower. Supplies provided — just bring your imagination (and maybe your bestie).

Entertainment

5/23 🤠 90s country legends: Roots & Boots brings Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin, and Collin Raye to Downstream at 8pm. With 40+ Top 10 hits between them, this trio promises a night of stories, singalongs, and country gold. Doors at 7pm.

5/24 😂 Chaos Comedy turns 25: Chaos Brewing hosts Vol. 25 with regional favorite Julie Drake — described by Dave Attell as “a teddy bear with teeth.” Don’t miss this sharp, crowd-favorite comic bringing the laughs to Joplin.

Outdoor

5/24 🌿 Shop native, grow local: Shoal Creek’s Native Plant Sale runs 10:00 AM–2:00 PM with Missouri-grown plants from Ozark Soul and Missouri Wildflower Nursery. Drop in to shop, ask questions, or pick up pre-orders. Free to attend at 201 W. Riviera Dr., Joplin.

Miscellaneous

5/24 🏁 Race in honor of Brett Hill: Rabbit Run Raceway’s Memorial Day Race kicks off with gates at 3:00 PM, practice at 5:00 PM, and racing at 7:00 PM. Multiple 1/5 and 1/10 scale classes, with entry starting at $10.

5/24 🎉 Food, fun & community vibes: Page-A-Palooza Memorial Day Fest is back from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM with food trucks, bounce houses, face painting, live music, vendors, and more. Come support Joplin Front Page and local small businesses!

Friday 5/23

Wilkie Jay at Mi Torito, Galena | 5:30 PM

Dillon Leggett at Christine’s Vineyard | 6:00 PM

Blueshell Bombshell, We Are Arya, Spare the Dead and
Rage Is My Rival at Blackthorn Pizza & Pub | 8:00 PM

Tragic Prelude at Osage Spring | 8:00 PM

Saturday 5/24

Dr. G & The Tall Man at Joplin Empire Market | 10:00 AM

Alijah Jones Music at Joplin Empire Market | 12:00 PM

Dr. G & The Tall Man at Christine’s Vineyard | 6:00 PM

Dillon Leggett at Vino Noir | 7:00 PM

Doug Dicharry at Flag City Brewing | 7:00 PM

Sunday 5/25

Garrick Fausett at Rivers Bend Family Resort | 4:00 PM

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