Freeman Announces Theme of 2020 Joplin Christmas Parade

Joplin, Mo. – Freeman Health System seeks entries for the 50th Annual Joplin Christmas Parade. In a news conference held Monday, November 9, at Joplin City Hall, Ryan Stanley, City of Joplin Mayor, presented a 2020 Joplin Christmas Parade permit to Paula F. Baker, Freeman President and Chief Executive Officer.

“We’re honored the City of Joplin has chosen Freeman Health System to manage the parade for the seventh year in a row,” said Baker. “It takes hundreds of volunteer hours and many dedicated hearts to orchestrate a celebration of this magnitude—Freeman Health System embraces this challenge because it’s our way of giving back to the community that has supported us for more than 95 years.”

Together Baker and Ryan revealed the logo and theme for this year’s parade: “Cruisin’ to Christmas.” The theme reflects a twist on the traditional parade format. In order to allow for social distancing and a pandemic-safe parade, this year citizens will drive down Main Street viewing floats and entries that line the sides of the street. No candy or handouts will be permitted.

Funds generated by the 2020 Joplin Christmas Parade will go to Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals®, which provides assistance to children from birth to 21 years of age in a 14-county area in Missouri, Kansas and Oklahoma. All money raised stays local, helping children with medical needs and their families. Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals helps furnish and maintain Freeman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, provides funding for local community organizations’ pediatric needs and provides pediatric emergency equipment for area agencies.

Freeman staff members have already started planning the parade. The parade will take place from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Tuesday, December 1. The parade route starts with drivers entering at 20th and Main, and floats and entertainers will appear on the sides of the street from 15th north to Third Street. Santa still arrives at the end of the parade route, and he will wave at kids as they roll by Spiva Park in the comfort of their cars and trucks.

Entry fees are $50 For-Profit Organizations, $15 non-profit organizations, schools and bands are free. Spaces are limited and the last day to register is November 18. For more information about placing an entry in the 2020 Joplin Christmas Parade, call 417.347.3962 or email joplinchristmasparade@freemanhealth.com.

Event information is also available at https://2020joplinchristmasparade.eventbrite.com

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About Freeman Health System

Locally owned, not-for-profit and nationally recognized, Freeman Health System includes Freeman Hospital West, Freeman Hospital East, Freeman Neosho Hospital and Ozark Center – the area’s largest provider of behavioral health services – as well as two urgent care clinics, dozens of physician clinics and a variety of specialty services. In 2020, Freeman earned dozens of individual awards for medical excellence and patient safety from CareChex®, a quality rating system that helps consumers evaluate healthcare providers. U.S. News & World Report named Freeman Health System the Best Hospital in Southwest Missouri for 2020. With more than 320 physicians on staff representing more than 80 specialties, Freeman provides cancer care, heart care, neurology and neurosurgery, orthopaedics, children’s services and women’s services. Additionally, Freeman is the only Children’s Miracle Network Hospital in a 70-mile radius. For more information, visit freemanhealth.com.