Annual parade delayed for a week by rain

Several "No Parking" signs were gathered up Sunday at Capaha Park where the Christmas Parade of Lights was scheduled to begin. Rain caused the event to be postponed until next Sunday. (Fred Lynch) [Click to enlarge]

Melanie Smollen was looking forward to seeing Cape Girardeau's 16th annual Parade of Lights on Sunday evening. Smollen, who moved to Cape Girardeau from Traverse City, Mich., in July, even talked visiting relatives into staying an extra day to see it with her.

But a steady stream of rain washed away their plans.

The decision to postpone the parade for one week was made before 11 a.m. Sunday, according to Marla Mills. The executive director for Old Town Cape spent much of the day phoning contacts for each of the parade's 100 entries to alert them of the delay. In 1997, rain also pushed the parade back one week.

The parade is planned for Sunday at 5 p.m.

John Emanie, who was coordinating the float for his employer, The Mattress Guys, said it was OK to wait a week.

"We want to be part of the community. It's fun. It's exciting, plus we get to see all the kids' faces light up as we throw candy," he said. "It's nice to put a smile on peoples' faces."

Mills said Old Town Cape's Web site was modified to alert parade-goers, and announcements were made through radio, television and the Southeast Missourian's Web site.

"We seriously thought about not postponing it," Mills said. "But we want both the participants and the people watching it to have a good time."

Mills said two other events linked to the parade, Christ Episcopal Church's "Umpteenth Annual" free chili supper and the Road Runners pre-parade Jingle Bell fun run, will also be rescheduled for next week.

Smollen said she and her husband, Paul Smollen, will likely find a spot along the parade route next week. As for Sunday, she spent the afternoon shopping with niece Carly Lewis, 13.

"I'm not too disappointed. We'll still have family time," Smollen said.

pmcnichol@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127