Downtown Joplin Alliance to Host May’s Third Thursday Event, “Route 66 Fest”

(Joplin, MO) – Downtown Joplin Alliance invites the community to attend the Route 66 Fest at May’s Third Thursday on May 16, 2024. Join the event sponsor, Visit Joplin, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm as everyone celebrates the Great American Road and the start of summer!

Co-hosting May’s Third Thursday will be Visit Joplin and Landers Chevrolet of Joplin, who are welcoming the attendees of the National Council of Corvette Club’s (NCCC) 65th annual convention. Corvette owners from all over the country will be in Joplin from May 13 to 19, with events planned around the region and along Route 66.

During Third Thursday, 30 to 40 corvettes, from all years, will be parked in the 600 block of Main Street in a People’s Choice car show, as selected by the NCCC membership. On the east side of 6th and Main Streets will be the Landers Chevrolet Stage, where a Route 66 favorite, The Road Crew, will perform at 6:00 pm and 7:10 pm. The community is invited to come out and see the corvettes and enjoy the show. Lawn chair seating for the concert will be provided.

It’ll be a night full of live music, as Connect2Culture is bringing The Concert Truck to Third Thursday — catch their unique setup and live performances on the 400 block of Main Street. The 200 block will also feature music from Paul Blakely, Project Six, and Sunset Circle.

The evening’s events will also include:

• A “smash-a-thon” fundraiser for the Boys & Girl Club of Southwest Missouri, hosted by three businesses (DTOM Technologies, The Technology Center, and Noble Earth Recovery) where participants and donors can smash electronics (printers, computers, copiers, etc.). Participants will sign a waiver, select their desired target and “smasher” of choice (hammer, bat, golf club, etc.), and smash the target inside a netted canopy to prevent any bits from flying away. This group will also be accepting electronics for recycling.
• More than 130 vendors, including 30 food trucks and booths.
• Patio and on-street dining on the 100, 200, 500, and 600 blocks.
• Beer Garden and Disc Golf outside of Chaos Brewing Co.
• Artisan market on the 500 block.
• Bounce house for kids.

Third Thursday is held from 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm on the third Thursday of each month from March through October. Thanks to our Third Thursday Title Sponsors, KSNF-TV/KODE-TV, Zimmer Marketing, and Verts Neighborhood Dispensary for making this event possible.

Sponsors, volunteers and vendors are all being sought for the remaining events of the season. More information can be found on the Third Thursday Facebook page or on the Downtown Joplin Alliance website.

Reference

Lori Haun, Executive Director
Downtown Joplin Alliance
lori@downtownjoplin.com
417.529.3888