Guilty By Association Truck Show returning to Joplin this weekend
Are you looking for something fun to do this weekend with the family that won’t break your bank account?
Well, you’re in luck because the Guilty by Association Truck Show is returning to Joplin this weekend thanks to Four State Trucks, which hosts the event to help raise money for the Special Olympics.
“This event happens every other year,” Joplin CVB Director Patrick Tuttle said. “They will leave the Four State Truck center at exit 4 of I44 at 6 p.m. this Saturday. And we’ll be coming into Joplin. They’ll follow the route, Coyote/Schifferdecker to 20th Street, 20th street to Main Street, Main to 26th. And some of the trucks will continue back to Four States. But a bunch of them are going to be parking on 26th street between Maiden Lane and Moffitt. It’s going to be an amazing show. As the sun goes down, all these trucks or lights come on and it’s just a beautiful scene.”
Everything kicks off on Thursday with the demolition derby scheduled at 6:30 p.m. at the Four State Truck center. Following the derby, a concert featuring Bobby Degonia is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Joplin 44 Petro Stage.
“You know, trucking is a huge part of our industry in this area and it’s really amazing to see a convoy of almost 400 trucks come through the community,” Tuttle said. “The event is exciting. People align the roads throughout the city to get a glimpse of them.”
On Friday, some highlights include the United FMX Motocross Stunt Show-Freestyle Motocross & Quads is set for 6:45 p.m., while a truck and tractor pull is set for 7:30 p.m. There will be a ZZ Top Tribute Band concert on the Joplin 44 Petro Stage from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Fireworks are scheduled for 10 p.m. to close the evening.
“Colin Raye will be doing a free public concert towards the end of the convoy at the stage which will be on 26th street between Mercy Park,” Tuttle said. “Probably closer to the 8 o’ clock time frame. … There will be a food truck and a few vendors of different types. It’ll be a great time for all.”
Now, there are expected to be traffic delays in the area of the parade. The convoy parade is scheduled to begin and leave Four State Trucks at 6 p.m., with the Downtown Street Party scheduled for 7 p.m. After the truck light show at 7:45 p.m., the day comes to a close with performances by the Chad Cooke Band followed by Collin Raye.
The convoy will head north on Highway 43, crossing I-44, continue along Coyote Drive/Schifferdecker Avenue to 20th Street, turn east to Main Street, head south to 26th Street, and then west to Cunningham and Mercy Parks, where trucks will park for display.
The route will be closed to cross traffic, with each convoy taking about 20 minutes, wrapping up around 7:00 p.m. Drivers should avoid W. 20th Street, South Main, and Maiden Lane to prevent delays, using 7th, Junge, or 15th Streets for east-west travel and Connecticut, Range Line, or Black Cat for north-south routes. Additionally, 26th Street between Main and Maiden Lane will be closed most of Saturday afternoon and evening.
“We also want to be very careful for the pedestrians in the area to not get in the way,” Tuttle said. “Visibility for a semi truck is not the same as the person in the car. So, be very vigilant of those trucks coming through and don’t get in there. Those trucks coming through and don’t get in their way and, and don’t, don’t cause an accident just by being a spectator.”
If inclement weather becomes an issue for the outdoor events, they will be moved to the Joplin Expo Center inside the North Park Mall if viable.