Cape holiday parade will have 97 entries

In two days, hundreds of people will kick off the Christmas season by crowding downtown Cape Girardeau sidewalks to gaze at the dazzling scenes of the annual Christmas Parade of Lights.

The two-hour event, which begins at dusk Sunday, will feature 97 entries, six entries shy of last year, said Old Town Cape executive director Tim Arbeiter. The parade will begin at Capaha Park on Broadway, continue on Main Street and end at Hutson's Fine Furniture. This year's theme, "What Christmas Means to Me," was announced the last week of October.

With Thanksgiving leftovers packed in lunch bags, some participants will likely start today on piecing their floats together.

For example, the Harley Owners Group.

Planning began three weeks ago and one large piece was built, said member John Trowbridge. About 15 HOG members and their families will start arranging the trailer today and add finishing touches Sunday.

"Any time we can get together and have fun and do something for the community, the energy level just kicks up," Trowbridge said.

He and his wife joined the local chapter last year and, he said, the float is the first project he has overseen for the group.

The trailer was donated by C&G Feeds in Fruitland, Trowbridge said, and Cotner Electric donated use of one of its buildings.

Following its own tradition, the group will spin a scene around their passion. This year's "Bethlehem" float will feature three Harley motorcycles and a manger.

"I think most people look at Christmas the same way. There's a secular view and a religious view," Trowbridge said. "We're just looking at tying those both together."

Other float groups, such as Horizon Screen Printing, chose to stick with the same thing as always.

"Just because it works," said Drew Reeves. "We got the spirit award in the past. We just try and have fun with it."

Parade attendees can expect to see a 16-foot float with a wooden frame crammed with as many Christmas lights as possible. About 20 employees with their families will toss candy.

jmetelski@semissourian.com