
Scott Joplin International Ragtime Foundation Makes $12K Request
Scott Joplin International Ragtime Foundation Board president John Simmons’ presentation and annual report to Sedalia City Council included a $12,000 request for funding for this year’s music festival, scheduled for May 28-31.
That figure represents a $2,000 increase from last year’s funding request.
The Foundation also receives funding from the Missouri Arts Council - $15,000, local businesses (products, services and sponsorships) - $10,000, and a tourism market grant - $40,000, according to Shelly Rounds, Joplin Foundation director and festival director.
Sedalia Rotary also supports the festival, Rounds added.
Rounds noted that the estimated economic impact the music festival had on the area in 2024 was $358,848. That was an increase from $297,737 in 2023. The festival was canceled in 2020, 2021 and 2022 due to the COVID pandemic.
Council approved the funding request.
Last year, the Joplin festival drew fans from 26 states and four countries.
A Joplin vintage fashion show and parade will be held early Saturday morning, May 31, to allow more people to attend and participate in the event. The parade will stage at 7th and Ohio.
Last year, the parade was held on a Wednesday evening, (opening night) along with a meet & greet (Ragtime Reunion) at the Furnell Pavilion.
Last year, a vintage trolley based out of Jeff City provided riders lucky enough to get a ticket a historical perspective of Sedalia. The trolley rides were hosted by local author and Sedalia historian Becky Carr Imhauser. Each trolley tour was booked solid, as the large vehicle can only accommodate around 28 riders, plus the driver and tour guide. A total of five tours are scheduled this year during the 2025 music festival.
Rounds noted that 33 performers are currently booked to appear in May at the 2025 Joplin Fest. One of those performers appeared at Monday night’s 36-minute City Council meeting.
Adam Swanson is the 2025 Artist in Residence and is making stops this week at numerous elementary schools (and two nursing homes) giving performances and educating local youth on the music of Scott Joplin, who lived in Sedalia from 1894 to 1901.
Joplin worked as a piano teacher and also wrote composed his own music. He began publishing in 1895. Joplin composed more than 40 ragtime pieces, one ragtime ballet, and two operas.
Swanson will appear in concert Thursday night at 7 p.m., at the Katy Depot, 600 East 3rd Street. Tickets are $5. Students get in free with a paid adult admission.
The concert will consist of music that Joplin composed and published right here in Sedalia, Swanson noted.
At the conclusion of the concert, Swanson will play along and provide the musical soundtrack to a silent move, “Chasing Choo-Choos” which includes incredible train chase scenes.
He chose a train-themed movie due to the fact that the concert is taking place at a formerly active train depot (now a museum and gift shop) located on the Katy Trail.
Swanson, in addition to all his live performances during the 2025 festival, will also serve as Symposia director.

Other highlights of the 2025 Scott Joplin Festival will include appearances by The Ragabonds with Brian Holland, Lovestruck Balladeers with Dalton Ridenhour, as well as Joshua Rifkin and Jeanette Watts.
Rifkin, 80, is an American conductor, pianist and musicologist. He is currently a professor of music at Boston University.
Watts is a vintage dance instructor, author, seamstress and actress.
Simmons noted that in previous years of the festival, performers were encouraged to stick to ragtime music. Or risk getting scolded. Now, performers may stretch out musically speaking, and explore other forms of popular music, like Boogie Woogie and early jazz.
“Let the entertainers show them (fans) what they can do,” Simmons said.
Third Ward Councilman Bob Hiller told Simmons he would help coordinate with local car clubs to get some classic automobiles in the parade on that Saturday.
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Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz
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