Friday, October 24, 2025

Subtitle

Author

Matt
October 24, 2025

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Good Morning, Joplin. Calm down, fall. We haven’t even decided who’s cooking Thanksgiving dinner yet…

In today’s JOMO Jive:

  • BOLD Women’s Summit

  • Area Spookhouses

  • More Fall Festivities

Let’s get to it.

— Matt Thompson

P.S. If you find something useful in today’s Jive, please share it with someone who likes the cold more than the heat.

FEATURED EVENT

Join us for the inaugural BOLD (Building Opportunities for Leadership Development) Women’s Summit on Thursday, November 18, 2025, at James River Church – Joplin (1850 S. Maiden Lane).  

This all-day, interactive event is built to equip, uplift, and inspire women across the four-state area through powerful keynotes, meaningful networking, and high-impact breakouts. Choose from three crowd-selected tracks—Leadership & Influence, Voices of Change, and Holistic Health—with sessions on building networks, navigating bias and conflict, reframing barriers, setting boundaries, and sustainable self-care.  

Hear from nationally recognized voices including Dr. Rachel Oblon, Alissa Owsley, and Michelle “Mo” Holloman.  

Doors open with networking and breakfast at 7:30 am, and the day wraps with continued connections at Business After Hours. BOLD Experience Passes: $100 (gift-a-pass option available). 

Join the movement and secure your BOLD Experience Pass today. ⬇️ 

👻 Haunted Nights Ahead

Your guide to the area’s spookiest haunted houses and scare attractions

Ready to scream? From corn mazes to haunted asylums, the Four-State area is packed with fright-filled fun this October. Here’s a roundup of local spookhouses and haunted attractions guaranteed to get your heart racing — whether you’re a thrill-seeker or just in it for the jump scares.

 Source: KOAM

🎃 Joplin RoadRunners’ 42nd Annual Pumpkin Run

Saturday, Oct. 25 | 2:00–5:00 PM | Leggett & Platt Corporate Lot, Carthage

Run, walk, or cheer at the Joplin RoadRunners’ 42nd Annual Pumpkin Run, benefiting Community Support Services of Missouri’s Early Learning Center.

🏃‍♀️ Races start at 2 PM (1M & 2M) and 3:30 PM (8K & 10M) — all on the scenic, shaded Ruby Jack Trail.

Highlights:

  • Decorated pumpkins as prizes (crafted by Early Learning Center kids!)

  • Live music by Resonation

  • Free race photos by JV Photography

  • Vendor coupons, raffle prizes & refreshments

  • Dogs and strollers welcome in 1M & 2M

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🍂 Harvest Fest at Empire Market

Saturday, Oct. 25 | 10 AM–2 PM | 931 E 4th St, Joplin

Celebrate the fall harvest at Joplin Empire Market’s annual Harvest Fest, a day dedicated to farmers, makers, and community spirit! Enjoy giveaways, live music, great food, and activities for all ages.

Here’s what’s happening:

  • 🎁 Giveaways: Market basket filled with vendor goodies, a small greenhouse, Heart Joplin bags & stickers

  • 🍻 Libations: Local beer from Chaos Brewing Co. and wine from Eagles Landing

  • 🍂 Food Specials: Render BBQ, Nan Made Thai, Oakwoods Farm, Evans Family Farm, Purple Chin & more

  • 🎶 Live Music: Jonny Wood (10–12) & Eric & Erica French (12–2)

  • 👧 Kids Market: 10–20 young entrepreneurs selling baked goods and handmade crafts

  • 🌻 Garden Fun: Pumpkin games, photo booth, live music with Andrew Pommert, and a visit from Tortellini the Tortoise

Shop local, sip local, and celebrate the season at one of Joplin’s favorite community events!

✍️ Writers Unite at the Ozarks Writers League Fall Conference

Saturday, Oct. 25 | 9 AM–4 PM | Joplin Public Library

Writers, readers, and storytellers from across the region are gathering for the Ozarks Writers League (OWL) Fall Conference, featuring four expert speakers, networking opportunities, and the annual writing contest awards ceremony.

For just $30, attendees can spend the day learning from established authors, editors, and industry professionals, with presentations on everything from scene development and naming characters to making a living as an indie author.

The lineup includes:

  • Veda Boyd Jones – Connections

  • Robb Grindstaff – Scene Development: The Building Blocks of Story

  • Penny Shane Richards – A Rose Is a Rose: What’s in a Name?

  • Gary Jonas – How to Make a Living as an Indie Fiction Writer

📚 Plus: Find out who placed in OWL’s annual writing contest during the lunchtime awards ceremony.

Full schedule, speaker bios, and contest details available at OzarksWritersLeague.com.

Friday: 🌡️ 53 | 60 🌧️ 95%

Saturday: 🌡️ 53 | 61 🌧️ 95%

Sunday: 🌡️ 53 | 62 🌧️ 65%

Recap:

🏐 Women’s Volleyball (8-13)
Tuesday 10/21 at Drury University | L 3-0

Upcoming:

🏈 Football (2-4)
Saturday 10/25 at HOME vs Missouri Western State University | 2:00 PM

🏐 Women’s Volleyball (8-13)
Friday 10/24 at HOME vs University of Central Missouri | 6:00 PM

⚽️ Women’s Soccer (2-8-3)
Sunday 10/26 at Western Missouri State University | 2:00 PM

👟 Men’s & Women’s Cross Country
Saturday 10/25 at 2025 MIAA Cross Country Championships in Pittsburg, KS

Friday

🌾 Old-Fashioned Hay Bale Trail: Bring the family to McClelland Park for a cozy fall evening filled with hayrides, bounce houses, yard games, and live music! Local groups will showcase creative hay bale displays, and food vendors will serve up delicious eats and drinks. Free admission — just bring your blanket, your appetite, and your best fall spirit for this fun community night under the stars!

🍝 Murder Al Dente: Dine, laugh, and sleuth your way through an evening of mystery at The Mollie in Galena, KS. Step into Politana’s Italian restaurant, where homemade pasta and passion set the scene for a shocking crime of love and betrayal. Guests will enjoy a delicious meal, dessert, and a thrilling interactive performance — can you solve the murder before dessert is served?

🚴 Critical Mass Group Ride: Join Bike Walk Joplin for their monthly group ride on the last Friday of each month! Meet at 6:00 PM at 4th & Joplin and roll out at 6:15. This easy-paced 5–6 mile ride is open to all ages and abilities—come take the streets, reclaim the road, and enjoy the power of community on two wheels.

Saturday

🎹 Halloween Party with Dueling Pianos: Twin Hills Golf & Country Club is hosting a spooktacular night of live dueling pianos, food, drinks, and costumes! The fun kicks off at 6:00 PM on the outdoor courtyard (moving inside if it rains). Open to the public, but space is limited — RSVP by emailing [email protected] to reserve your spot.

🧛 Twilight Trivia Night: Think you know Forks inside and out? Join B&B Theatres for Twilight Trivia Night on October 25 at 4:00 PM! It’s free to play, with fun prizes for the biggest fans. Arrive early to grab your spot, and don’t forget to grab food and drinks while you play to help keep these community events going.

🎃 Halloween Monster Ball: The annual Monster Ball is back at Blackthorn Pizza & Pub! Doors open at 5:00 PM with tarot readings, a silent auction, vendors, and food and drink specials. Enjoy a talent competition at 6:00 PM, a costume contest at 7:30 PM, and the Monster Ball Drag Show at 8:00 PM. Entry is $15, and it’s PG until 10:00 PM. Come early for free raffles and a night full of spooky fun and fierce performances!

🤣 Chaos Comedy Vol. 28: Laughs take over Chaos Brewing from 7:30–9:30 PM! Comedians Zach Amon and Lacee Rains—fresh off filming their first specials—bring the chaos to South Main. Catch them live for a night of craft beer, comedy, and good vibes.

🎪 Page-A-Palooza Octoberfest: Celebrate fall fun at Front Page’s Octoberfest! Enjoy free entry and parking, live music, food trucks, bounce houses, games, vendor booths, face painting, and trick-or-treating for the kids. Bring your friends and family for a full day of food, shopping, and community fun while supporting local small businesses.

🎸 Guitars Homecoming Bash: Celebrate MSSU Homecoming in true Lion spirit at Guitars Country Bar! After the big game, hit the dance floor for live country DJ music, line dancing, and green-and-gold party vibes. Enjoy $3 Green Shots, photo ops, and a dance floor King & Queen contest. Free cover with MSSU student ID.

🕵️‍♀️ Lady Whiskerbottom Mystery Dinner Theatre Fundraiser: Step into an evening of intrigue, elegance, and goodwill at A Lady Whiskerbottom Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre, hosted by Foster Adopt Connect. Enjoy a full buffet, decadent desserts, and a chance to solve a thrilling whodunnit — all while supporting local foster care and adoption efforts.

Sunday

😂 Joplin Improv Open Play: Come laugh, play, and connect with Joplin Improv at Joplin Avenue Coffee Company! Open Play runs 5:30–7:00 PM and offers a fun, judgment-free space to try improv—no experience needed. Ages 16+ are welcome to jump in, meet new people, and explore creativity through games and laughter. Free to attend—just grab a coffee, bring a friend, and say “yes, and…”

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Thank you for reading JOMO Jive today. See you again Tuesday!