Press release from the Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce:
WEST PLAINS, Mo., February 11, 2026– The Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce announced today that the 2025 Chamber Christmas parade will be its last. The event has been a cherished community tradition for decades, but logistical, financial, and staffing challenges have made it unfeasible to continue.
This difficult decision stems primarily from the significant strain placed on the Chamber’s bare minimum staff during what is already the busiest time of year. Logistically, the parade has become a substantial financial undertaking, facing rising costs for essential needs like event liability insurance, equipment rental, and operational expenses that the organization can no longer sustainably cover. The reliance on a dwindling pool of volunteers has made the coordination and execution of the parade increasingly cumbersome.
“It is with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to the annual Christmas parade,” said Jessica Collins, Executive Director of the Greater West Plains Area Chamber of Commerce. “The dedication of our limited staff and the struggle to secure sufficient volunteers have reached a critical point. While this tradition will be missed, we simply cannot continue to run the event safely and effectively given the current constraints.”
The Chamber expressed deep gratitude to all the participants, volunteers, sponsors, and community members who have contributed to the parade’s success over the years.
“While this parade has been a community staple for many decades, I have personally had the pleasure of working on it for 20 years,” Collins added. “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.”
