COUNTY PARK LIGHTING CEREMONY WEDNESDAY

A lighting ceremony to kick off the eighth annual Holiday of Lights display at Cape Girardeau County North Park will be held Wednesday at 5:45 p.m.

The ceremony will take place at Shelter No. 8, and will officially open the display for the holiday season.

Last year, 84 exhibits attracted more than 17,000 visitors to the park between Thanksgiving and New Year's Day. This year there may be even more displays.

Visitors can drive through the park from dusk until 11 each night.

The display, which began in 1987, is a cooperative effort of the Cape Girardeau County Park Department, the Cape Girardeau County Commission, and the Southeast Missouri Council on the Arts.

The first year 11 displays were set up, but each year participation has increased by organizations, businesses, churches and individuals.

Displays range from decorated memorial trees to elaborately lighted scenes or traditional winter-holiday symbols.

Associate Commissioner E.C. Younghouse, who oversees county parks for the commission, has worked closely with the arts council and park department over the years to see that the display is successful.

Park Superintendent Chet McCain has been responsible for overseeing the setting up of decorations and security, and making sure power is run to every display.

Music at the lighting ceremony will be provided by the New Creation Choir under the direction of Phil Breithaupt.