The Joplin Globe, Joplin, MO

Carthage, Jasper County

Discussion

October 15, 2009

Crowds expected in Carthage for Maple Leaf parade, events

By Susan Redden

sredden@joplinglobe.com

CARTHAGE, Mo. — Clydesdales, Cobras, crafts, cars — and crowds — will be the order of the day on Saturday for the final day of the 43rd annual Carthage Maple Leaf Festival.

The famous Budweiser Clydesdales, World Famous Willie Arthur Smith’s Marching Cobras and about 25 marching bands will be among the more than 200 entries in the Maple Leaf parade.

The parade is known as the longest in the region and this year may be a record, according to John Bode, president of the Carthage Chamber of Commerce, which heads up Maple Leaf programs.

“We have 210 entries,” he said. “We had 208 a couple years ago, so this is one of the biggest, if not the biggest.”

9 a.m. parade

The parade starts at 9 a.m. on the west side of the courthouse square and ends at Carthage Middle School at Centennial Avenue and River Street. The event attracts thousands of viewers from throughout the region. Bode said those planning to attend should come early.

“They’re going to need to get an early start if they want to find a place to park where they don’t have to walk too far,” he said.

Bode also advises an early start for those wanting to see the Marching Cobras perform at 2 p.m. at the Carthage Junior High School auditorium. Admission is $3, but is free for children 10 and under.

“Last year, they sold out and we had to turn people away,” he said.

This is the fourth year in five that the Clydesdales have made an appearance in the parade. Bode said the teams are rarely scheduled in the same venue so frequently, “but this is such a big parade, they feel like this is an opportunity for a lot of people to see them.”

Cheryle Finley, festival co-chair, credited Missouri Eagle in Joplin for help in getting the Clydesdales back.

“They’re always so gracious to come for several days, and have viewing times so people can see them up close,” she said.

Many of the Maple Leaf events are annual favorites, but the committee this year brought back a lighting contest for residents to add lights to maple trees in their front yards. The event is sponsored by the Carthage Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“We’ve had a really good response,” Finley said. “We try to add something new, but we also try to keep a lot of it the same. A lot of the events have been going on for so long, people know what to expect and they look forward to it.”

In addition to the huge crowds that come for the parade and other events, Finley said Maple Leaf weekend is an attraction for Carthage and area residents.

“People plan their class reunions and family reunions around it, and lots of people who have moved away come back to visit,” she said.

Finley said she believes Carthage residents also make the festival a success “because they make everyone feel so welcome.”

Crafts, food, music

In addition to the parade, crafts and food will be sold around the square. An antique car and tractor show is set for Central Park and the Maple Leaf Auto Show will be held on the CMC campus at Fairview and Grand Avenues. Also set for the courthouse square are a petting zoo, a dog show and musical entertainment.

A marching band competition that started the festival continues. Garry Greek, band director at Carthage High School, said 16 high school bands compete in the festival, set for noon to 10 p.m. at K.E. Baker Football Stadium at 13th and River streets.

Information on the full Maple Leaf schedule and parade route are available on the Carthage Chamber of Commerce Web site at www.carthagechamber.com.



Friday events

Maple Leaf events today include brats on the square sold by the Carthage Rotary Club from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 4 to 7 p.m., the Maple Leaf Baby Show at 6 p.m. in the Carthage Junior High auditorium, and Music in the Woodshed, at 7:30 p.m. at the Emporium on the Square.

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Carthage, Jasper County
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