Carthage’s Maple Leaf Festival Parade Dazzles Thousands, Caps Week-Long Autumn Celebration
CARTHAGE, Mo. — Thousands lined the streets with color and cheer this morning as the 59th Annual Maple Leaf Festival Parade rolled through the heart of Carthage, drawing an estimated 65,000 spectators to close out Southwest Missouri’s cherished fall tradition in grand style.
“People plan from other communities to come in for this,” Melinda told Newstalk KZRG. “And I think Carthage does such a good job. The city does such a good job of making it safe for everybody, making it exciting. Different events that appeal to different types of people. I really think that’s what brings so many people in.”
Under a dreary October sky, the nearly two-mile procession kicked off at 9 a.m. from the historic Carthage Square, dodging storms scattered in the area while weaving past the Jasper County Courthouse and charming Victorian homes. The parade, a vibrant finale to a week of festivities, showcased the community’s spirit with a dazzling array of floats, marching bands, and local flair, leaving attendees buzzing with autumnal joy.
“It’s a good, fun time,” Remy Brown said. “You see a lot of people you don’t know, you already see waving at you, hollering at you, and it’s good time.”
The Carthage Area Chamber of Commerce, alongside the City of Carthage, organized the festival, and the parade featured over 100 entries, including high-stepping bands from area high schools, equestrian units prancing in sync, and meticulously crafted floats competing for awards. Antique cars gleamed in the morning sun, while children’s groups—dressed as superheroes, princesses, and even mini maple trees—captivated the crowd. Per safety rules, participants handed out candy curbside, keeping the energy high and the chaos low.
Spectators lined the route early, some arriving at dawn despite street closures starting at 6 a.m. The handicapped parking lot at Mercy Hospital, opened Friday evening, ensured accessibility for all. Mild weather—clear skies and temperatures in the mid-60s—made for perfect viewing conditions, a relief after last year’s drizzle.
The festival raises funds for local causes through vendor fees and sponsorships. This week featured a festival kicked off with a BBQ cookoff, followed by Taco Tuesday feasts, a motorcycle show, and Touch-a-Truck demos. Walking tours showcased historic Victorian homes, while a free concert lit up the square on Friday night. Over 300 artisan booths offered quilts, pottery, and jewelry, complemented by food vendors serving funnel cakes, turkey legs, and pies. A Kids Zone provided crafts, rides, and a petting zoo, and live country music played daily.
“We really enjoy what we do,” said Rick from Kiwanis. “It’s all volunteer work out there. We have a train ride that’s a quarter mile, and airplanes that they fly and buckets that they go around. The kids just absolutely have a good time. We have a small merry-go-round for kids to ride in little cars like the pedal cars, and it goes round and round and round.”