March 2026 Third Thursday

We have two basic shifts we need help with for each Third Thursday: 3-5:30pm Set-Up: We meet at Spiva Park to go over volunteer assignments. Set-up volunteers supervise the event entrances on 4th & 6th Streets to be sure only Third Thursday vendors are entering on Main Street. They also help get vendors into their assigned spaces for the event. It usually take about 10-12 volunteers to successfully get the event ready. 8-9:30pm Tear Down: We meet again at Spiva Park to go over volunteer assignments. Volunteers man the exits at 4th & 6th Streets, making sure vendors leave only from these points. They also help pick up trash left behind by Third Thursday patrons & vendors. Reflective vests, trash grabbers, trash bags and gloves are provided. It usually takes 8-10 volunteers to successfully clean-up after the event.

The Downtown Joplin Alliance Board invites you to join us in celebrating the rebirth of Joplin’s historic downtown. As the heart of the city, downtown suffered and was neglected for decades as corporations and big box retailers took over Joplin’s identity. But with your help, we are fighting back. Downtown Joplin is filled with small local businesses providing everything from shoes to haircuts to comic books and more. Joplin’s historic buildings are being filled with commerce and residences. And downtown is the place for community to gather and where we celebrate.  People like you are the reason that Downtown Joplin Alliance has been able to bring 80+ new businesses and more than $80 million in private investment into downtown in recent years. You make the weekly Empire Market and shared community kitchen possible. People like you provide opportunity for resources and entities to come together to save our historic structures. Events like Third Thursday and Downtown Restaurant Week are made possible by people like you.  But we are not finished. We need your help to continue this work. Would you join me by investing in the progress of downtown? Just a small monthly donation helps us keep moving forward with downtown initiatives. Your support truly makes a difference. Thank you for your investment.