Inaugural Old Town Cape Christmas Tree Lighting

Tyler Graef

Friday, November 29, 2019

It rained, but local residents turned out anyway to sing Christmas carols and see Santa Claus light the enormous Christmas tree in the courtyard of the Vasterling Suites during the inaugural Christmas tree lighting ceremony hosted by Old Town Cape Friday, Nov. 29, 2019.

Attendees are silhouetted against their umbrella during the inaugural Christmas tree lighting hosted by Old Town Cape Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at the Vasterling Suites in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Katie Urhahn, right, looks to the tree with children Abe, center, 4, and Mia, left, 1, during the inaugural Christmas tree lighting hosted by Old Town Cape Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at the Vasterling Suites in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Eric Callahan and his wife, Lindsey, wait under an umbrella during the inaugural Christmas tree lighting hosted by Old Town Cape Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at the Vasterling Suites in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Carolers, from right, Danna Bruns, Alan Bruns, and Bobbie Kohlfeld prepare to sing as Kate Mills, far left, looks up at them during the inaugural Christmas tree lighting hosted by Old Town Cape Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at the Vasterling Suites in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Brooke DeArman, center, prepares to play the trumpet with members of the Jerry Ford Orchestra during the inaugural Christmas tree lighting hosted by Old Town Cape Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at the Vasterling Suites in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Grayson Maurer, dressed as an elf, distributes candy during the inaugural Christmas tree lighting hosted by Old Town Cape Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at the Vasterling Suites in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Caroler George Yoffie talks with other carolers while standing in the rain during the inaugural Christmas tree lighting hosted by Old Town Cape Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at the Vasterling Suites in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Santa Claus descends the staircase to light the tree during the inaugural Christmas tree lighting hosted by Old Town Cape Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at the Vasterling Suites in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
The switch is seen shortly before Santa Claus pressed it to light the tree during the inaugural Christmas tree lighting hosted by Old Town Cape Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at the Vasterling Suites in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)

Children cheer as the tree is lit during the inaugural Christmas tree lighting hosted by Old Town Cape Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at the Vasterling Suites in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Liam McGrew, 3, runs around the Christmas tree in light-up shoes while his mother, Rosela, right, tries to take his picture during the inaugural Christmas tree lighting hosted by Old Town Cape Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at the Vasterling Suites in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Alan Bruns holds sheet music during the inaugural Christmas tree lighting hosted by Old Town Cape Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at the Vasterling Suites in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Abbie Simon, left, and Haley Ticer are seen in front of the Christmas tree during the inaugural Christmas tree lighting hosted by Old Town Cape Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at the Vasterling Suites in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)
Chad Kight is seen in a festive hat during the inaugural Christmas tree lighting hosted by Old Town Cape Friday, Nov. 29, 2019, at the Vasterling Suites in Cape Girardeau. (Tyler Graef ~ Southeast Missourian)