Non-profits sought to manage Joplin Christmas Parade

(From the City of Joplin)

The City of Joplin is seeking applications from not-for-profit organizations interested in hosting the annual Christmas parade. All organizations are invited to submit an application to host and manage the responsibilities of this celebrated community event during the holidays.

Lynden Lawson, Assistant Director of Public Works for Operations, will be part of the committee reviewing the application to make the final determination of a City permit for the parade, and looks forward to working with the community to provide a well-run event.

“We recently have had several civic organizations inquiring about managing the parade, but there was not a process in place to make a selection,” said Lawson. “The application and interview process provides an opportunity for all interested organizations to request hosting and managing these responsibilities.”

All applicants will be invited to an interview with a panel of managers familiar with event planning. Following these interviews, panel members will determine which organization will receive the parade permit. Details about the parade and entry process will be given by the winning organization, and the City will work with the organization to share this information, as needed.
The permit application can be picked up at the Public Works counter on the fourth floor of City Hall. It can also be found on the City’s website, by clicking on the link at the end of this story.

Organizations interested in applying for the permit must complete the City’s Parade Application and return it to Lynden Lawson in the Public Works Department by 12 noon on Monday, September 22. Interviews with applicants will be held starting at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, September 24. The organizations’ representatives will be contacted with interview details.

This process was developed through the Joplin Municipal Code, Sec. 114-185 “Permit for parades, processions and open air public meetings”, as well as through discussions of several departments which provide assistance in public safety, street closures and other traffic-related issues to the host organization of the parade. The permit asks specific details regarding these areas, as well as other details related to the parade.

“We have to assure the best possible Christmas Parade for the citizens of Joplin in all aspects,” stated Lt. Darren Gallup, Joplin Police Department. “The general public is usually watching for the overall presentation of the event however, the City wants to ensure that public safety and other traffic related issues are being addressed. The annual Christmas parade does rely on City services, and it is intended through this new process that those will be met in the most efficient manner, and that we have an agreement with the organizer to deliver on their plan, from start to finish.”

The City’s permit for the annual Christmas Parade states that the event is to be held on the first Tuesday of December, making the 2014 parade date set for December 2.