In the spirit of the holiday season, the windows of a downtown historic structure will again be decorated for all to enjoy. The public is invited to share in the excitement during the annual unveiling when the curtains are pulled back of the large windows of City Hall, 602 South Main. The opening takes place at 6 p.m. on Monday, November 28, with holiday refreshments available during the event.
Formerly Newman’s Department Store, this five-story building was built in 1910, and was a main attraction for shoppers throughout the years. Window displays depicted the latest fashion trends and society standards. During the holidays, shoppers enjoyed the elaborate decorations of the season with holiday décor, specialty items and a large assortment of toys.
Following the unveiling, the downtown audience can join in the Holiday Tree Lighting event at Spiva Park, 4th and Main Street. Joplin Parks and Recreation staff host this event and plan to turn the lights on at 6:30 p.m. Monday, November 28. Both events are fun annual activities for all ages to enjoy as kick off to the holiday season.
In 2009, City Clerk Barbara Hogelin brought back the holiday tradition and coordinated the window display for families to enjoy as in years past. Now an annual tradition, Hogelin and her elves work to create a fun look back to years past. Each year the windows have a theme to reflect the holidays of yesteryear. This year’s windows will offer displays featuring a “Winter Wonderland.”
This is the eighth year that Hogelin has worked with other City staff members and area artists June Stokes and Dixie Boyd-Carter to complete the displays. Working with both ladies throughout the years for various projects, she knew their expertise would be an asset to the window displays when the project started seven years ago.
“The City enjoys bringing back fun memories for our citizens to reminisce and also share with the younger generations in their families,” said Hogelin. “It’s a great time of year and we like to help make it even more special for those who live here or visit us during the holidays.”
The construction part of the project is managed by Jeff Tennis and Rick Allen, Maintenance Mechanics for the City, who provide their knowledge and skills in the building and assembly of the various elements included to create various scenes.
The first year’s display in 2009 offered scenes of holiday magic through the eyes of a child. It received first place honors in the Outstanding Window Display category from the Missouri Main Street Association. Since then, each year a new theme has been introduced with residents enjoying nostalgic displays for years gone by. The windows have included a large assortment of childhood toys and games dating back to the 1950s through 1990s; a collection of the cultural icon Barbie, the doll that was introduced in 1959, and an array of Christmas villages that depicted holiday scenes in quaint communities throughout the world. Joplin residents have helped with some of the past displays: the Barbie collection was on loan from Toni LoPresti and the village collection came from John DeCou.
In 2011, the windows served as a tribute to the perseverance and resilience of the Joplin community and volunteers following the May 22 tornado. In 2012, the windows depicted scenic vistas and points of interest along Route 66, The Mother Road. Last year’s windows featured a Tradition of Trees, with eight trees decorated to feature various trends and fads through the years.
Other elements have been added to the windows throughout the years, including a focus on the Joplin Public Library, fun holiday times in a home setting, Joplin’s mining history, Santa’s Workshop and Schifferdecker Park where Santa takes a break before heading out of town on his flight.
Various other activities are planned throughout the holidays as well, so be sure to check out the Convention and Visitor Bureau’s website at www.visitjoplinmo.com for more details or check out their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/HolidayExperience or just click on the link below.
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