By Kelsey Ryanand Ashley Peaches

news@joplinglobe.com

An estimated 1,000 area teenagers gathered Wednesday at The Bridge for the eighth annual Riot, a New Year’s Eve lock-in.

Teens could participate in a Halo 2 tournament, skating, basketball, dancing, BMX biking or a worship service at the event, which lasted from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. Thursday. Lindsay Matush, executive director of The Bridge, said the purpose was to provide a safe place for teens to party.

“I have a lot of friends that come, and it’s just really fun,” said Destiny Selsor, a sophomore at Carl Junction High School, who also attended the Riot last year.

“It’s better than going to a party. I like to hang out with my friends and listen to bands.”

Tickets cost $22 in advance and $24 at the door. Matush said the money from ticket sales paid for putting on the event, giveaways, a disc jockey and live bands, and will help support year-round events.

Live music was provided throughout the night by local bands. Not all of the music had a strictly Christian message.

“I’m trying to get my music out, and there’s no better way of doing that than playing in front of them live,” said Kyle Therrien, a Joplin resident who performed bubble-gum electro pop under the pseudonym Johnny Crash.

“I’m a Christian, but I try to portray it more in my person than I do my music,” he said. “The music helps attract people. They’ll see the real me when they come and talk to me. You’d figure a 21-year-old would have better things to do, but this is what I want to do, so here I am.”

Matush said the Riot got its start because New Year’s Eve is a “peak time for teens to engage in premarital sex, underage drinking and drug abuse.”

“It keeps us out of trouble, I guess,” said Shawn Sisseck, a junior at Jasper High School. “Usually, I like to ride, but I didn’t bring my bike, (so I’ll) just hang out and watch everyone else.”

When asked if he was going to go to the worship session that was available for teens, Sisseck said: “We’re thinking about it. We’re not sure yet. It’s just what everyone else wants to do, I guess.”

Teens could purchase food throughout the evening. Also available was a non-alcohol bar that provided “mixed” drinks with names like “With Blood Comes Cleansing” and “On Broken Wings.”

Teens were supervised by volunteers and staff members of The Bridge. Adults were posted at all entrances and exits to prevent teens from leaving early. Joplin police were on duty at the entrances.