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 Christmas carols filled the chilly air on Main Street in Cape Girardeau during Old Town Cape's downtown open house Friday night. The youth group from First General Baptist Church of Jackson dressed for the holiday season and presented seasonal music for shoppers. (Kit Doyle) [Click to enlarge] [Order this photo] |
Children lined up for free photographs with Santa Claus while carolers ventured throughout Main Street singing tunes such as "Silent Night" and "Joy to the World."
Decorated in Christmas garlands and lights, stores welcomed hundreds of shoppers who not only sampled hot apple cider and cookies but were vying for a $1,500 shopping spree redeemable at 13 participating merchants during the annual Christmas open house. To win the prize, shoppers visited at least 10 of the 13 stores or restaurants to have their entry form stamped.
Marla Mills, director of Old Town Cape, which coordinated the event, called it a magical evening.
"I felt a lot of energy and excitement among the shoppers and merchants tonight," Mills said. "With the music, Santa, decorations and carriage rides, this event captures the holiday spirit."
Chris Casey of Cape Girardeau, who was inside the building that housed Santa and children's games, said the open house is just one of many events his family plans to attend this holiday season.
"We just enjoy getting out to a Christmas event each week," Casey said. "It's another way for us to celebrate the season."
Linda Taylor of Benton, Mo., said she always makes the 30-minute drive each year to attend the open house in what has become a Christmas tradition for herself.
"This helps me get more into the Christmas spirit," said Taylor, who was shopping inside Annie-Em's Antiques and Gifts at 40 N. Main St. "From the carolers to those inside the stores, everyone is merry."
Annie-Em's owner Karen Stephens said the open house gives the merchants a chance to shine in front of one of the most well-attended events in downtown.
"I love seeing the streets and stores filled with lots of shoppers," Stephens said. "It would be nice to see more events like this brought to downtown, which would bring in more people to our stores. People would embrace more events like this one because they see the history and charm of buildings of this area."
Suzanne Dinkens, owner of Glitz N Glamor, 1 N. Spanish St., was hopeful that the open house would entice those first-time shoppers to return another day.
"I chose to participate because I'm trying to do my part in promoting downtown," Dinkens said. "This open house can be very good for retailers. It gets people down here, and that's half the battle."
388-3628
Pertinent addresses:
418 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO
40 N. Main St., Cape Girardeau, MO
1 N. Spanish St., Cape Girardeau, MO
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May I say "Good for You"?? Good for you having gone downtown rather than to Wal Mart.
.....and so it goes~~
Makes me think back to 1963 or 1964 and the Main Street Madness Days.
http://www.capecentralhigh.com/cape-phot...
Merchants closed at the usual 5PM, then reopened at 7PM and stayed open until - Gasp! - midnight.
This was a big deal in the days of Blue Laws and before 24-hour-seven-day-a-week shopping was common.
Owners and clerks dressed in nightwear, some more comfortably than others.
Like the other poster said, it's good to see some life downtown.
this event should be held the same day as the Parade of Lights. all those people are already downtown or close to it so attendance would go up!
If you haven't checked out KSTEINHOFF's link yet, then do so---it's well worth the trip! I was just a snot-nosed kid at that time, but I remember the big "to-do" about the event! Especially since it was past "normal" waking-hours, my Mom was totally against such activities!(Thank God for Dad!)
Get yourself a glimpse of what Downtown Cape was in it's heydays! It'll either make you laugh with glee---or cry in shame.
As for ME? I enjoyed the "snot" outta it! And, the shot of downtown, with the then not-as-old bridge behind it, is a classic...!
Ever notice that the Christmas Spirit and Holiday Cheer is null and void until AFTER you have fought the selfish, rude, and inconsiderate drivers and have actually parked the car?