Community Calendar

The East Town Dreams District will present a Juneteenth celebration of freedom: "Rooted in Wisdom.....Rising in Excellence;" featuring live music with Tone Loc, food, and games. The event will be held Friday, June 19 from 6 to 9 pm and Saturday, June 20 from 8 am to 10 pm at Hope Park in Joplin.

The East Town Dreams District will present a Juneteenth celebration of freedom: "Rooted in Wisdom.....Rising in Excellence;" featuring live music with Tone Loc, food, and games. The event will be held Friday, June 19 from 6 to 9 pm and Saturday, June 20 from 8 am to 10 pm at Hope Park in Joplin.

The longest day of the year is a favorite to celebrate the height of summer, sunshine, and lots of locally grown produce!

FMOTO Summer Kick-Off is where you can soak up the sun as you shop with your favorite local vendors!

Plus, you can help encourage the entrepreneurial spirit of the next generation on Kid Vending Day, where kids can set up their own booths and sell alongside their parents!

Guaranty Bank proudly presents the 2nd Annual POPS IN THE PARK, benefiting the Springfield Art Museum and celebrating the unforgettable pop hits of the 1980s.
Enjoy a dynamic performance by the renowned rock band Jeans 'n Classics and members of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra as they bring an iconic mix of '80s favorites to the stage.

Set within the beautiful surroundings of Phelps Grove Park, the concert will be performed on a 40-foot outdoor stage, creating a vibrant open-air experience. Fun for all ages! Enjoy live music, hands-on art activities, and food trucks under the summer sky. Bring your own chairs and picnic blankets, and enjoy the music event of the summer!

Event Details:
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
Location: Phelps Grove Park, Springfield MO
Time: 6:00 PM Seating; 7:00 PM Show Time
Admission: Free!
Parking: Free parking is available, thanks to community partners. See below for parking details.

"Porch Pickin’ in Woodland Heights is back for another year!

Join us Sunday, June 21st from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm for a free afternoon concert at Lafayette Park. Bring a chair or blanket and enjoy good tunes and good times with neighbors and friends.

This kickoff performance features live music from Uke 66 and Jesse Owsley. All are welcome to this completely free community event!

And don’t forget—after this kickoff concert, Porch Pickin’ will return every third Sunday through October to a different porch in the Woodland Heights neighborhood."

Carver Day Celebration!
Carver Day will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. This year commemorates the 83rd anniversary of George Washington Carver’s passing and the subsequent establishment of the National Park on July 14, 1943, the first one to honor an African American.

Guest speakers include Peter Duncan Burchard, Carver scholar and author of "George Washington Carver, A Great Soul." Sandra Knauf is a nature writer, author and publisher. Knauf’s presentation is entitled, "The Gospel of Regeneration: George Washington Carver’s Legacy in Soil, Society and Soul."

Music is a huge part of the Carver Day fun. Musical performers this year include Arlecia Elkamil & band. Arlecia is a multi-instrumentalist and singer. Kufara Marimba Band, a Zimbabwean- style ensemble, will perform and local church choirs are also invited. Gospel singing group Sensational Wonders return to the music tent.

Paxton Williams will perform his legendary role as George Washington Carver in his original one person show "Listening to the Still Small Voice."

Carver Day is also a time for kids to explore the park and connect to the child who was born here over 150 years ago. There will be guided tours, Junior Ranger activities, and more. Local area education resource exhibitors will also share information. The Diamond Lions Club will provide food concessions as well.

The event is free of charge.