Future of Christmas parades in West Plains uncertain

The 2025 Christmas parade will be the last hosted by the Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce, the organization announced last week. 

 

“The event has been a cherished community tradition for decades, but logistical, financial, and staffing challenges have made it unfeasible to continue,” reads the Chamber’s announcement. 

 

Operating on what the release calls, “bare minimum staff,” during the busiest time of the year, is the primary reason for the “difficult decision.”

 

The announcement goes on to cite rising costs and a dwindling pool of volunteers that, “has made the coordination and execution of the parade increasingly cumbersome.”

 

The Chamber told Howell County News that these costs include event insurance, overtime for both City of West Plains and Chamber employees, city permit fees, city-mandated manure clean-up service (for equine parade entries), prizes and banners for the winners, and portable restrooms.

 

"While this parade has been a community staple for many decades, I have personally had the pleasure of working on it for 20 years," Executive Director Jessica Collins is quoted in the release. "We have cherished watching the community come together to celebrate the holiday season. We are hopeful another organization will be able to pick up where we have left off and continue this holiday event for years to come."

 

Chamber representatives say they have had inquiries from organizations expressing interest in taking over the parade. 

 

“We have a meeting scheduled next week with one group to walk through all of the details and expectations,” reads an email from the Chamber to the News. 

 

Updates on the future of Christmas parade in West Plains will be published as they are available.