CHRISTMAS PARADE LIGHTS UP DOWNTOWN

There will be blinking, twinkling, multi-colored lights, Yuletide tunes and people making merry on floats and on foot Sunday, Nov. 27, at the second annual Christmas Parde of Lights.

Holicay parades are an American tradition, and all the color and warmth of the season will be accentuated asnthe parade winds through downtown Cape girardeau.

The Christmas Parade of Lights, again sponsored by the Downtown Merchants Association and KBSI Fox 23 television, will begin at 5 p.m., or as soon as darkness permits, at Capaha Park on Broadway.

Parade participants will proceed along Broadway to Main, where they will turn right and travel along that one-way thoroughfare. The parade will end at the downtown area's south parking lot, across from Hutson furniture.

Last year's Christmas Parade was the first in about 30 years, and this year's parade is the second in what should be many years of pleasant parades.

"We had a very good respose for last year's parade," said Doc Cain, chairman of the event. "Even more people are enthused about participating in this year's fun."

The parade grand marshal is Gene Huckstep, who is retiring this year as presiding commissioner. He will be among the leaders in the parade in which 60 or more entries are anticipated.

"There were 55 entries last year and we have 45 so far this year. We're still aceepting entries," said Cain.

As added enjoyment for youngsters, the cartoon character Bart Simpson will be a kind of "junior grand marshal." He'll ride in the KBSI Kids' Club House.

Jolly ol' St. Nick will grace the Christmas Parade of Lights, in his traditional role at the end of the holiday show. He'll ride in the Merchants Association's train float. The float will feature smoke coming from a locamotive smokestace, and other realistic effects.

Entries are using many different types of lighting, said Cain. Candles, generators, battery systems and other ways of achieving eautiful lighting effects will be used.

The parde can be observed from most any point along the route. "We're urging people to bring their lawn chairs, bring their blanket, wrap up and enjoy the evening," Cain said.

Many downtown merchants will be open from 1 p.m. until 8 p.m. Sunday, so people can enjoy many hours of shopping and fun.

Over 22 floats will be involved, along with other motorized vehicles, mounted entries "and a lot of different surprises," Cain hinted.

Not only will the parade be pleasing to the eye, but it will also be pleasnt to the taste. Plenty of people will be throwing tasty holiday treats to the onlookers.

Many merchants along the parade route are putting whit lights in their windows to contribute to the festive atmosphere.

Divisions of the parade are motorized, float, mounted, walking and band.

Line-up will begin at 3:30 p.m. at Capaha Park. People interested in participating can contact Cain or Christine Roussel at Port Cape girardeau Restaurant, 334-0954.