August 27, 2025
The Joplin Trails Coalition will celebrate completion of the first section to connect the Frisco and Ruby Jack trails with a ribbon-cutting at 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 4.
The entrance to the trail is on North Madison Street, adjacent to the Webb City recycling center.
Michael Adkinson, president of the coalition, says, “There’s plenty to see along the trail, ponds, birds and other wildlife, as this is part of the Cardinal Valley Habitat.”
You can “walk” the one-mile trail virtually by watching a video at the bottom of this Webb City Sentinel post from last week.
The coalition will hold a work day clearing brush from part of the Ruby Jack Trail at 8 a.m. Sept. 13.
Volunteers are to meet at the Leggett and Platt parking lot on County Road 180. Work gloves and bug spray are strongly encouraged. Tools (loppers, pole saws, and chainsaws) are, too, but not required.
The Keenagers, a senior citizens chorus, will begin rehearsals for the 2025 fall session on Friday, Sept. 5, 2025. Rehearsals will be held from 3 – 4:30 p.m. each Friday in the Riverton Community Building, on the southeast corner of Highway 66 and SE 70th Street in Riverton, Kan.
The choir consists of musicians age 50 and above from all over the 4-State area. No audition is required. Anyone age 50 and above who is interested in singing in a community choir is encouraged to join Keenagers for a rewarding experience of musical satisfaction and fellowship. A small membership fee is necessary to cover basic costs.
The Keenagers are under the direction of Scott Nelson, of Riverton. Laura Atkinson, of Baxter Springs, Kan., assists at the piano. Nelson also directs the Parsons Community Orchestra in Parsons, Kan., and the two groups come together twice a year to perform major concerts.
For additional information, contact Delores Wishart at (620) 249-1208 or dewishart@hotmail.com, or Laura Atkinson at (620) 429-0250.
by Patrick Tuttle
What is a slang word for “nothing?” Well, “nix,” “nada,” and “zilch” come to mind.
But, for September happenings in Joplin, no slang description is necessary.
“September is a very busy month for local events. In fact, every weekend and many weekdays, something happens from Labor Day weekend through the first week of October,” said Patrick Tuttle, Director of Visit Joplin.
VisitJoplinMO.com/Events is a good place for someone to avoid the Nada-Syndrome.
It all begins on Labor Day weekend, August 28-31, with action at MO-KAN Speedway north of Joplin and a new colorful event at Route 66 Fairgrounds off 7th Street, as the inaugural JOMO Route 66 Balloon and Kite Festival takes place. Whether zooming down a track or soaring with the birds, they both offer fun family enjoyment.
On September 5th, the Sons of Serendip quartet will perform in the Beshore Performance Hall of the Cornell Complex as part of Connect2Culture’s Curtains Up Series.
September 6-13 will be the Heartland Patriots Festival with several events honoring and supporting area veterans.
Wings & Wheels, a fly-in and car show, will take place on September 6 at the old Joplin Airport Terminal off Hwy 171. Don’t miss the food trucks and music, and the Freedom of Flight Museum will also be open for tours.
The Route 66 Patriot Salute Music Festival will be held at Route 66 Fairgrounds on September 12 and 13. Craig Morgan, Chris Cagle, Quiet Riot, Slaughter, and Loverboy will perform.
The Annual Prairie Day will be held at the George Washington Carver National Monument on the 13th, and Sweet Potato Savvy will be held September 20-21.
Also, on September 20th, the Monarch Festival will be at the Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center, with a fun-filled day of activities related to monarch butterflies.
As part of the Cornell Series, Casi Joy will perform outdoors on the Leggett & Platt Green on September 26.
September 25-28 is when we welcome back Rydell High’s Class of 1959, where GREASE is the word presented by the cast of the Joplin Little Theatre. Or, on September 25-27, enjoy a play that is a parody of J. K. Rowling’s Harry Potter book series, as Dream Theatre Co. performs Puffs: or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic.
For the disc golf enthusiast, Joplin Disc Golf Club will host the 20th Annual Four States Open from September 26 to 28, primarily at McClelland Park, with play throughout the region.
Guilty by Association, the biennial truck show extravaganza put on by Chrome Shop Mafia and 4 State Trucks, is a customer appreciation event, enjoyed by our entire region. September 25-27, offers many events at their location south of I-44, Exit 4. However, the Saturday night truck convoy rolls into Joplin and concludes along 26th Street, parking nearly 100 trucks for public viewing with their custom light packages aglow. A free concert featuring country singer Colin Raye will bring the event to a close on a stage at 26th and Maiden Lane.
Also on September 27 is Whiskey and Whispers: A Reflection on Prohibition, presented by Historic Murphysburg Preservation. This prohibition-themed event teaches guests how to enjoy various types of whisky and the best food pairings.
Center Creek Park is the place on September 27 for the 28th Annual Carl Junction Bluegrass Festival. There will be food, crafts, artists, and, of course, the area’s best collection of bluegrass music.
Plus, the September editions of First Thursday ArtWalk and Third Thursday continue.
North Heights Porchfest on October 4 wraps up the many events happening during the September weekends and the two bookend weekends of late August and early October.