Upcoming community events in and around Joplin

Upcoming Events in Joplin and Surrounding Areas

From Watermelon Feeds to Concerts, August Brings Vibrant Community Gatherings

Below is a condensed schedule of events in Joplin and nearby areas, ordered by date for August 2025. All events are open to the public, with some requiring tickets or reservations.

August 7, 2025

• Neosho Free Watermelon Feed (6:30–8:30pm, Big Spring Park, 308 W Spring St, Neosho)
  Join the Republican Women of Newton County for free ice-cold watermelon, bottled water, and talks by U.S. Rep. Eric Burlison, Sen. Jill Carter, and Rep. Dirk Deaton. Bring lawn chairs for this community tradition. Free. Contact: Newton County Republican Central Committee, www.newtoncountyrepublicans.org.

August 8, 2025

• The Itch LP Release Show (Ages 21+) (9:00pm, Blackthorn Pizza & Pub, 510 S Joplin Ave, Joplin)
  Celebrate local band The Itch’s new LP Men and Dust with a performance and video collage. Cover: $10. Contact: Dan Johnston, theoneandonlyitch@gmail.com, (417) 319-6461.

August 9, 2025

• Model Train Show and Swap Meet (9:00am–3:00pm, Joplin History & Mineral Museum, 504 Schifferdecker Ave, Joplin)
  Enjoy model train displays and swap tables. Admission: Adults $5, kids 12 and under free. Contact: Tristate Model Railroaders, homerbedloe@yahoo.com, (417) 499-9914.
• 10th Annual Joplin Area Arts & Cultural Preview (10:00am, Harry M. Cornell Arts Complex, 212 W 7th St, Joplin)
  Arts organizations preview their 2025-2026 plans. Free, registration required for presenters by July 28. Contact: Lauren Smith, lauren@connect2culture.org, (417) 501-5550.
• Pepper Fest 2025 (10:00am–2:00pm, Joplin Empire Market, 931 E 4th St, Joplin)
  Celebrate National Farmers Week with pepper roasting, sauces, salsas, and kids’ crafts. Free, food/drink for purchase. Contact: Ivy Hagedorn, ivy@downtownjoplin.com, (417) 986-3914.
• North Heights Market in the Park (10:00am–4:00pm, Michael and Jeri Lynn Joseph Family Park, 610 W F St, Joplin)
  Shop from nearly 50 vendors offering crafts, antiques, produce, and more. Free. Contact: Moira McGhee, northheightsmarketinthepark@gmail.com, (417) 499-5998.
• Expressions of the Soul (1:00pm, George Washington Carver National Monument, 5646 Carver Rd, Diamond)
  Explore George Washington Carver’s love of art inspired by nature. Free. Contact: Diane Eilenstein, gwca_interpretation@nps.gov (mailto:_interpretation@nps.gov), (417) 325-4151.

August 10, 2025

• Texas Blues Guitar Summit ft. Anson Funderburgh, Mike Morgan, & Shawn Pittman (7:00pm, doors 6:30pm, The Coda Concert House, 2120 E 24th St, Joplin)
  Three legendary guitarists perform with their band. Suggested donation: $35. Reservations: Jeff Morrow, info@codaconcerthouse.com.
• Expressions of the Soul (1:00pm, George Washington Carver National Monument, 5646 Carver Rd, Diamond)
  Continued exploration of Carver’s artistic side. Free. Contact: Diane Eilenstein, gwca_interpretation@nps.gov (mailto:_interpretation@nps.gov), (417) 325-4151.

August 13, 2025

• Paul Thorn House Concert (7:30pm, doors 7:00pm, The Coda Concert House, 2120 E 24th St, Joplin)
  Songwriter Paul Thorn performs soulful grooves. Suggested donation: $75. Reservations: Jeff Morrow, info@codaconcerthouse.com.

August 14, 2025

• Joplin Writers’ Guild (6:00pm, Joplin Public Library, 1901 E 20th St, Joplin)
  Writers of all levels share and learn. First meeting free, annual dues $10. Contact: S.V. Farnsworth, s.v.farnsworth@gmail.com, (417) 691-0480.

August 16, 2025

• Concerts in the Park feat. Playlist (7:00–9:00pm, Central Park, 714 S Garrison Ave, Carthage)
  Enjoy classic rock and country hits by Playlist. Bring lawn chairs. Free. Contact: Carthage Council on the Arts, carthagecouncilonthearts@gmail.com.
• North Heights Porchfest Teaser Show (7:30pm, doors 7:00pm, Main Event, 611 S Main St, Joplin)
  James Weaver and Tragic Prelude perform, with Driveway Diner BBQ at 6:00pm. Admission: $10. Contact: Theresa Clift, northheightsporchfest@gmail.com, (479) 366-2005.
• Peanut Provisions (1:00pm, George Washington Carver National Monument, 5646 Carver Rd, Diamond)
  Make peanut milk, one of Carver’s 325 peanut products. Free. Contact: Diane Eilenstein, gwca_interpretation@nps.gov (mailto:_interpretation@nps.gov), (417) 325-4151.

August 17, 2025

• Peanut Provisions (1:00pm, George Washington Carver National Monument, 5646 Carver Rd, Diamond)
  Continued peanut milk-making lab. Free. Contact: Diane Eilenstein, gwca_interpretation@nps.gov (mailto:_interpretation@nps.gov), (417) 325-4151.

August 21, 2025

• Third Thursday (5:30–8:30pm, Downtown Joplin)
  Enjoy artisans, music, entertainment, and food on Main Street. Free. Contact: Lori Haun, info@downtownjoplin.com, (417) 501-9649.

August 22, 2025

• Opening Receptions: Watercolor USA 2025 & Alchemy of Light & Shadow by Jeffrey C. Legg (5:30–7:30pm, Harry M. Cornell Arts Complex, 212 W 7th St, Joplin)
  Celebrate two art exhibits. Free, donations appreciated. Contact: Paige Mock, spiva@spivaarts.org, (417) 623-0183.

August 23, 2025

• Storytelling Day (11:00am–1:00pm, George Washington Carver National Monument, 5646 Carver Rd, Diamond)
  Celebrate the National Park Service’s anniversary with guest storytellers. Free. Contact: Diane Eilenstein, gwca_interpretation@nps.gov (mailto:_interpretation@nps.gov), (417) 325-4151.

August 28, 2025

• Open Mic Night (7:00–9:30pm, Joplin Avenue Coffee Company, 506 S Joplin Ave, Joplin)
  Musicians, singers, and poets perform. Sign up via facebook.com/joplinavecoffeeco. Free. Contact: Autumn Zimmerman, autumn@joplinavenuecoffeecompany.com, (417) 206-5222.

August 30, 2025

• Storyteller Spotlight: Vagabond Grove (Ages 21+) (6:00–7:30pm, JBs Clubhouse, 1208 S Main St, Joplin)
  Intimate night with Vagabond Grove sharing stories behind songs. Tickets: $20, includes food and dab bar. Pre-order: jbsclubhouse.com/day-pass. Contact: Caleb Miller, vagabondgrove@gmail.com, (417) 489-9068.
• Ranger’s Choice (1:00pm, George Washington Carver National Monument, 5646 Carver Rd, Diamond)
  Park rangers present their favorite Carver programs. Free. Contact: Diane Eilenstein, gwca_interpretation@nps.gov (mailto:_interpretation@nps.gov), (417) 325-4151.

August 31, 2025

• Ranger’s Choice (1:00pm, George Washington Carver National Monument, 5646 Carver Rd, Diamond)
  Continued ranger-led mystery programs. Free. Contact: Diane Eilenstein, gwca_interpretation@nps.gov (mailto:_interpretation@nps.gov), (417) 325-4151.