St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival returns to Joplin - KOAM TV 7

St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival returns to Joplin

The second annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival is set to kick off Saturday in downtown Joplin.  The parade starts at 10 a.m., will begin on 15th Street and run north on Main ending at 3rd Street.

The festival will start an hour later and feature carnival games, live music and kids activities.

Organizers say they hope this year will be even better than last year.

"Last year was the first annual and we had about 4,000 people down here last year for the first event so we are looking forward to build on that," says Matt Osborn of Way Beyond Events.  "It was obviously something that Joplin accepted very well.  It was awesome seeing the sea of green last year, just everybody came out dressed up in green and different costumes and things so we are looking forward to that again this year.

Before the parade and festival there will be a 5-K run at 9 a.m. starting at 5th and Main.