Joplin’s Ewert Park Celebrates 100 Years with Emancipation Park Days Festivities
JOPLIN, Mo. — On Friday, Ewert Park, a cornerstone of Joplin’s East Town community, marked its 100th anniversary with a special presentation kicking off the annual Emancipation Park Days celebration.
The three-day event, one of Joplin’s oldest traditions, celebrates African American freedom, culture, and achievement while uniting residents of all backgrounds in a vibrant community gathering.
The centennial celebration began at 10:30 a.m. near the Ewert Park pavilion, where city officials, community leaders, and Emancipation Park Days organizers gathered to reflect on the park’s century-long legacy and unveil ambitious plans for its future.
Joplin Parks Director Paul Bloomberg led the presentation, sharing conceptual drawings and details of a transformative renovation project aimed at ensuring Ewert Park remains a vital community space for the next 100 years.
“We started working on this in 2024,” Bloomberg said. “It is one of our park stormwater projects that the voters of Joplin approved. And so we’re really excited about the huge renovation. You’re going to see not only in the park, but also turning our swimming pool into one of the largest swim/splash park, and ice ribbon in the region.”
Originally dedicated on July 12, 1925, Ewert Park was a gift from U.S. Attorney Paul Ewert to provide a safe and welcoming space for Joplin’s African American residents during an era of segregation. Covering 14 acres, the park became a hub for community gatherings, including the Emancipation Park Days celebration, which has been held annually since at least 1914.
The renovation plans unveiled during the centennial event include a state-of-the-art splash park for summer fun, a 12-foot-wide ice ribbon for winter skating, a refurbished amphitheater, improved seating areas, and historical markers commemorating key community milestones. Enhanced parking, lighting, shelters, and landscaping will further elevate the park’s appeal.
Following the morning presentation, Emancipation Park Days officially began at 6:30 p.m. with a lineup of family-friendly activities that will continue through Sunday, August 3.
The free event features live entertainment, a 16th annual car show, a kids’ fun run, resource booths, a movie in the park, historical reenactments, and more. Saturday’s highlights include a community drum circle, a performance by the Kansas City Marching Falcons, and a kids’ dance challenge.
The celebration will conclude Sunday with a worship service hosted by local churches and the annual car show from noon to 4 p.m.
