Crowd comes out to see Jackson Christmas parade, renovated uptown

Jackson was filled with the sights and sounds of the holidays during its annual Christmas celebration Saturday.

Festivities began with a parade through the city's uptown business district. This year's parade featured more than 70 entries, said Brian Gerau, executive director of the Jackson Chamber of Commerce. The parade, which began in the early 1980s, featured civic groups, antique automobiles and tractors, horses, high school bands and of course Santa Claus.

"I like the horses because they make my mom scared," said 8-year-old Mollie Jennings of Jackson. She said she looked forward to the parade every year, especially because of all the candy she receives from those in the parade.

For some, the annual parade meant coming home for the holidays.

"This is our first time in many years," said Mary Sue Niemann of Dunedin, Fla. "We are Florida residents now, and we are usually in Florida at this time of the year. I heard it was going to be a good one, and it didn't disappoint. It is small-town America, and it was a good representative of what it should be like. The Jackson band, of course, is my favorite all the time."

Some businesses along the parade route were open during and immediately after the event.

"We definitely notice an increase in traffic when the chamber sponsors events like this. The Christmas parade is something they have been having awhile. We do extend our hours for this particular weekend. It is nice because people do come uptown and walk around," said Lynnette Strange, co-owner of High Street Station.

Strange said Saturday's events allowed the city to show off the recent historical renovation and increased parking of the uptown area.

Following the parade, local Girl Scout troops gathered at the Cape Girardeau County Courthouse for the Festival of Lights, where they lit luminaries across the courthouse fountain and lawn. Following the lighting, the Girl Scouts sang Christmas carols.

They also used the event to help the needy.

"Not only is this a Girl Scout function, they are also collecting hats and mittens that are donated to the Jackson Elks Lodge," said Lori Malvitz, a representative with the Girls Scouts of Missouri-Heartland. "It's a wonderful thing,"

During the Festival of Lights, attendees were treated to hot chocolate, cookies and visits from Santa Claus.