The Jack Lawton Webb Convention Center was very pleased to be chosen as the home of this years "25th Annual Blast From The Past" named the 'Friends Of The Blast Reunion
Earlier this year the St. John’s Mercy Regional Foundation, said they were "discontinuing the event indefinitely because of the economic challenges facing individuals and businesses."
Treva Kennedy, president and chief executive officer of the St. John's Reginal Health Center Foundation made the press release stating “It wasn’t an easy decision to make... The overall thing we had to look at was that economic conditions globally are not in good shape. Several businesses in the area have had to make very hard decisions, and we’re no exception.”
The staff of the annual production gathered and each performer put their own money into producing this weekends tribute to the performers, helpers and everyone that has assisted over the years pulling off the Blast From The Past which was titled the "Friends Of The Blast Reunion"
This tribute event was held at the Jack Lawton Webb Convention Center and was an absolute success with over 300 in attendance despite the snow, sleet and threatening weather conditions and reports.
The annual Blast From The Past unofficially started in 1978 with the event called the "Mash Bash," where hospital staff members dressed up like characters from the television show “MASH” and met at the old armory for a costume contest.
The event featured 250 to 300 hospital staff members and community residents dressing up and putting on a musical floor show with some kind of retro theme, later being named "The Blast From The Past," fund-raiser that has annually attracted 2,000 to 3,000 people a year over a four-night run.
Last year's event was shortened from two weekends to one due to the drop in ticket sales, but the energy and dedication of the performer's of the event remained at 100% as was demonstrated this past weekend.
The audience was treated to ten fantastic skits featuring the annual well-known Blast' performers, with other video and memories including a memorabilia table of related photos, etc.
A live DJ was on hand to treat the guests to the familiar 50's music for they're dancing pleasure, great food was also on hand throughout the evening.
In tradition of the most awaited event in the Joplin area, this years 'Friends Of The Blast Reunion' became an exclusive '25th Year Anniversary Friends Of The Blast Reunion Party' for the performer's, production crew, supporters and avid regulars that have come over the past 24 year's to support this great production, cause and great evening of entertainment.
Special thanks to St. John's Reginal Health Center Foundation for sponsoring the annual event and a Special thanks to Judy Love who recently retired from the Mercy Foundation, she volunteered tireless devotion and inspiration in producing the "Blast From The Past" all these years and to the stage-crew members, technicians and the hundreds of floor-show cast members, and other volunteers who helped year after year to make the floor shows and the event a quality production and success.
For further information, support of continued shows and offers to volunteer in putting on the event in 2010 may email: friendsoftheblast@yahoo.com
Jack Lawton Webb Convention Center Featured Exhibitor
Photo By Terry G. Hembree
The Jack Lawton Webb Convention Center
was very happy to bring you the Hurley's 2nd Annual Comic Book Convention on March 7, 2009
The show was a much larger impact with a greater attendence than any of us ever would imagine!
Approximated 1178 To Over 1200 Spectators!
Everyone had a great time, live artists on hand flipping ink, buys, sales, trades and who knows what else
If you missed out on this years event make sure you keep your eye open to the
Hurley's 3rd Annual Comic Book Convention next year!
Check out Hurley's Heros Website at www.hurleysheroes.com
Click Here To See Some Great Shots Of The Convention In Progress!
"Congratulations On Another Fantastic Show!"
