Christmas coming to downtown Cape with annual parade, open house

Two upcoming events will be held in downtown Cape Girardeau to welcome the holiday season.

The 25th annual Parade of Lights will take place Sunday.

The parade, which begins at 5 p.m. or as soon as dusk arrives, will start at Capaha Park and proceed east on Broadway, turning right onto Main Street.

"It ends at the parking lot in front of Hutson's Furniture," said Katie Amrhein, marketing and event coordinator at Old Town Cape.

This year's theme is "25 Years of Christmas Lights on Parade," and all 100 entry spots are full.

Wendi Zickfield takes a photo of Gayle Conrad, left, and Marilyn Rellergert on Dec. 4 during Old Town Cape's annual Downtown Christmas Open House in Cape Girardeau.Laura Simon

The parade offers a wide variety of entries, all complete with holiday music and lighting.

"We'll have lots of floats, a couple of bands, horses and other live animals, and even walkers," Amrhein said. "We ask that every entry feature holiday music and lights."

Awards are given each year to entries deemed outstanding in a specific category, Amrhein said.

"We'll have awards for Best Business Appearance, Best Lights, Best Marching Band, Best Music, Best Nonprofit Appearance, Best Theme and the Chairman's Award, which is a judges' choice award," Amrhein said.

Kent and Vicki Zickfield, owners of Zickfield's Jewelry and Gifts, have been the parade coordinators for the past 18 years.

An angel follows a float from Trinity Lutheran School at the Christmas Parade of Lights Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014 on Broadway in Cape Girardeau.Fred Lynch

"Doc (Dennis Cain) did it for the first seven years," said Kent Zickfield, adding, "The floats have really grown in sophistication over the years.

"Many entrants have really learned how to decorate well and use their lighting and music to make the floats more elaborate."

Several area businesses and organizations enter a float in the parade each year.

"They buy a few more decorations and add to it each year," Zickfield said.

The annual Parade of Lights has become a family tradition for many in the community.

The 24th annual Christmas Parade of Lights, Mistletoe Magic, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2015 on Broadway in Cape Girardeau.Fred Lynch

"We've always gotten a great response from the public because it's such a wonderful, fun parade," he said.

The Downtown Christmas Open House, which also is presented by Old Town Cape, will take place from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 2. Activities will include caroling, sleigh rides, sweet treats, holiday specials and more.

"Pictures with Santa will be available at Santa's Workshop at 32A N. Main St., and the Southeast Athletic Department will be doing craft with kids as well," Amrhein said. "The carriage rides will be offered from the new Arts Council of Southeast Missouri location at 16 N. Spanish St."

Amrhein said all of the holiday events are free, and there is extra incentive to shop downtown during the open house event.

"Many businesses are participating in our $1,500 shopping spree giveaway, and other businesses will be open that evening as well," she said.

Personified candy canes express the theme of the 23rd annual Christmas Parade of Lights, Christmas Carols and Candy Canes, as the parade begins Sunday, Nov. 30, 2014 on Broadway in Cape Girardeau. More photos are in a gallery at semissourian.com.Fred Lynch

Shoppers may go to Hutson's Fine Furniture or Santa's Workshop and pick up a raffle-ticket booklet. Shoppers then are invited to take the coordinating raffle ticket to the downtown business to enter the shopping spree drawing.

"So the more businesses that you visit and drop off a raffle ticket, the more chances you have to win," Amrhein said.

The winner of the drawing will be chosen Dec. 6.

"We're hoping to announce it live on Facebook," she said.

In addition to the Downtown Christmas Open House festivities, First Friday with the Arts will take place downtown Dec. 2.

"It's a great way to kick off your holiday shopping," Amrhein said. "And it keeps your money in our local community. You'll be able to find unique gifts ... and meet the actual business owners."