Friday, October 17, 2025

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Good Morning, Joplin. You all know we don’t usually talk politics here, but sometimes national events are important to cover. The federal government has now entered its third week of shutdown, with no resolution currently in sight (the longest shutdown in US history lasted 35 days back in ‘95-’96). Key services remain limited, and over 900,000 federal employees are either furloughed or working without pay.

In today’s JOMO Jive:

• Maple Leaf Festival Wraps Up

• Caring Hands Gala: A Purple Affair

• Royal Disorder Tattoo Expo

Let’s get to it.

— Matt Thompson

P.S. If you find something useful in today’s Jive, please share it with someone who lives for going to the pumpkin patch.

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🍁 Maple Leaf Festival Wraps Up This Weekend

The final weekend of the 59th Annual Maple Leaf Festival is packed with community fun, competition, and classic Carthage charm. From twilight runs to parades and concerts, there’s something for everyone as the city celebrates “A City of Pure Imagination.”

Friday, October 17

• 🏃‍♂️ Maple Leaf 5K Race – 6:00 PM
  Enjoy a twilight run under the fall colors. Register here.

• 🎶 Free Members-Only Concert on the Square – 8:00 PM

Saturday, October 18

• 🚜 Tractor Show – 8:00 AM

• 🚗 Car Show – 8:00 AM

• 🎨 Arts & Crafts Show – 9:00 AM

• 🎺 Maple Leaf Parade & Marching Band Competition – 9:00 AM

• 🧸 Toy Con – 10:00 AM

• ⚔️ Renaissance Festival – 12:00–5:00 PM

• 🎵 After the Parade Concert – 12:30–3:30 PM | Music by The Bakbeatz

For a complete list of festival events, visit carthagechamber.com.

💜 Caring Hands Gala: A Purple Affair

Saturday, Oct. 18 | 6–9 PM | Downstream Casino & Resort

Join the community for an unforgettable evening of compassion and purpose at the Caring Hands Gala: A Purple Affair, an annual fundraiser supporting survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and human trafficking.

Guests are encouraged to wear purple as a sign of solidarity with survivors. The night includes a cocktail hour (6:00–7:00 PM), followed by dinner, a live and silent auction, and moving survivor stories that highlight the real impact of community support. Attendees will also get a special look at new human trafficking services launching in 2026.

Thanks to last year’s generosity, the gala raised over $77,000 for life-saving programs such as emergency shelter, counseling, and court advocacy. This year’s goal is even higher — $125,000 — and the event has already reached 66% of that target ($82,785 raised so far).

💜 Want to help?
If you can’t attend, you can still make a difference by donating to support 24/7 victim services — funding emergency shelter, trauma-informed counseling, and crisis response for survivors in need.

👉 Donate or learn more: Visit Caring Hands Gala Page

🥕 Fall at the Joplin Empire Market

Saturday, Oct. 18 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | 931 E. 4th St, Joplin

There’s nothing better than a crisp autumn morning at the Joplin Empire Market. Stop by this Saturday to browse a wide selection of fresh, local produce, handmade goods, baked treats, and artisan products—all from vendors who are passionate about what they grow and create.

The Empire Market accepts SNAP/EBT and offers the Double Up Food Bucks program, matching up to $25 to help make fresh fruits and vegetables more affordable. Shop local, meet your farmers, and enjoy live music in a laid-back, family-friendly atmosphere.

🌽 Open every Saturday year-round from 10 AM–2 PM.

👧 Missouri Kids Market – Young Entrepreneurs Take the Stage

Saturday, Oct. 25 | 10:00 AM–2:00 PM | Joplin Empire Market

Next weekend, the Missouri Kids Market returns to the Empire Market, giving young entrepreneurs the chance to show and sell their handmade crafts and baked goods. It’s a fun, educational way for kids to experience business ownership in a supportive community setting—plus a great opportunity for shoppers to discover unique, one-of-a-kind treasures.

💧 Revive IV & Wellness Lounge Grand Opening

Saturday, Oct. 19 | 10:00 AM–3:00 PM | 540 N. East St, Ste B, Webb City

Celebrate the grand opening of Revive IV & Wellness Lounge, a new destination for recovery and relaxation in Webb City. Guests can tour the serene, nature-inspired space and experience cutting-edge wellness treatments like IV infusions, cold tubs, red light saunas, compression sleeves, and sound bed therapy.

🎉 Grand Opening Highlights:

• Free Starter Membership giveaway

• 50% off Vitamin IV Infusions during the event

• Complimentary drinks from the organic juice + coffee bar

• Live music and a chance to unwind while you explore

👑 Royal Disorder Tattoo Expo Comes to Joplin

October 17–19 | Joplin Expo Center

Get ready, Joplin — ink is taking over the Expo Center for the first-ever Royal Disorder Tattoo Expo, a three-day celebration of body art, creativity, and community.

More than 100 tattoo artists from across the country will gather to showcase their craft through live tattooing, contests, piercings, vendors, and more. The weekend also features a car show, live entertainment by Drake May and Jessica Kienenberger, and a Halloween costume contest with cash prizes.

🎨 Bonus: The Art & Soul Project will host an art show, donating a portion of proceeds to fund art supplies for East Middle School and local nonprofits supporting children.

🎟️ Tickets: $15 daily pass | $35 weekend pass | Kids 10 & under free
Tickets available at the door or online at royaldisorderexpo.com

🎭 The Lord Chamberlain’s Men Present: Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night

Friday, October 17 | 7:00 PM | Leggett & Platt Green at the Cornell Complex
Tickets: $25-$40 | Membership Info: Join C2C

Experience Shakespeare under the stars as the UK’s premier all-male troupe performs Twelfth Night on the Leggett & Platt Green at the Cornell Complex. Enjoy period costumes, live music, and timeless humor in an open-air setting. Bring a blanket or rent a C2C chair and grab a bite from London Calling’s fish-and-chips truck before the show. Tickets $25–$40 at connect2culture.org.

🚗 Free Parent-Teen Driving Workshop: “First Impact”

Wednesday, October 22 | 6:00–7:30 PM | Joplin History & Mineral Museum

The Joplin Health Department is hosting First Impact, a free safety program for parents and teens (ages 15–19) during National Teen Driver Safety Week.

Learn about Missouri’s Graduated Driver License (GDL) law, safe-driving strategies, and how parents can coach new drivers during their highest-risk period—the first 30–90 days behind the wheel. Experts from the MU School of Medicine, law enforcement, and insurance will lead this 60-minute session. Free and open to parents, grandparents, and teens.

⚠️ Only 75 spots are available, and they’re filling fast!
👉 Register here to save your seat.

HOME OF THE WEEK
by THE ESSENTIAL REAL ESTATE

Friday: 🌡️ 64 | 82 🌤️ 

Saturday: 🌡️ 56 | 75 🌧️ 75%

Sunday: 🌡️ 45 | 66 ☀️ 

Recap:

⛳️ Women’s Golf
Tuesday 10/14 at UCM Midwest Classic | 10th

Upcoming:

🏈 Football (2-4)
Saturday 10/18 at HOME vs University of Nebraska at Kearney | 1:00 PM

🏐 Women’s Volleyball (8-10)
Friday 10/17 at Washburn University | 6:00 PM

Friday

No Bad Vibes at Mi Torito, Galena | 5:30 PM

Will Wadkins at Christine’s Vineyard | 6:00 PM

Wesley Allen & the Modern August at Beard Engine Brewing | 7:00 PM

Low Compatibility at Bricks and Brews | 8:00 PM

Saturday

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

Luke Smith at Joplin Empire Market | 12:00 PM

Full Throttle at Mi Torito, Galena | 5:30 PM

Jason Garrison at Christine’s Vineyard | 6:00 PM

Ty Harlan at Keltoi Winery | 6:00 PM

Bryce Leatherwood at Buffalo Run Casino | 7:00 PM

The Websters at The Living Room | 8:00 PM

Blues Doctors at Osage Spring | 8:00 PM

The Blue Underground at HoneyPop’s Bar and Grill | 8:00 PM

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