Families take in shopping, activities at Downtown Christmas Open House

Six-year-old Ireland Hunter was painting a Dalmatian snowflake, and there was nothing anyone was going to do to talk her out of it.

At the Discovery Playhouse at 502 Broadway in Cape Girardeau, a group of children gathered around the craft table, celebrating the Old Town Cape's annual Downtown Christmas Open House with their families.

After visiting with Santa, children were welcome to walk uptown to partake in the creating of winter crafts.

This year, it was Popsicle-stick snowflakes.

"She's stuck on Dalmatians, for some reason," Ireland's mother, Jill Hunter, explained.

While her mother relaxed at the craft table, Ireland dabbed away at her snowflake, covering it in black spots.

"This is our fourth year coming," Jill Hunter said. "And it's the first time the weather's been bad; last year there was some snow, and that always makes it fun."

Ireland's favorite part of the downtown open house is Santa, who visited with children from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday at 116 N. Main St.

"I want all Monster Highs with all their stuff," Ireland explained of her wish list.

Monster High is an American fashion doll franchise created by Mattel. The dolls are the ghoul daughters of monsters such as Frankenstein and Dracula, and they have a TV show on Nickelodeon.

"After this, she's going to go to bed with the baby sitter, and mom and dad are going to go shopping," Hunter said.

"Yeah, for my Christmas presents!" Ireland said without looking up from her masterpiece.

Hunter said she enjoyed the fact Old Town Cape expanded the open house along Broadway and said she and her daughter visited many of the stores between Santa and Discovery Playhouse.

Along Main Street under the awnings of businesses to protect themselves from sporadic rainfall, caroling groups varied from traditional old-time carolers, Girl Scouts and "howliday carolers," a group of pet-lovers from Mississippi Mutts who brought their dogs along to sing.

The rain didn't keep visitors away, and at 7 p.m. on First Friday, the sidewalks were crowded with shoppers.

For this year's open house, Old Town Cape gave away a $1,500 downtown shopping spree.

Shoppers could pick up tickets from Santa at 116 N. Main St., Discovery Playhouse or Hutson's Fine Furniture at 43 S Main St.

After signing up, participants could distribute their tickets at participating retailers for chances to win the grand prize.

smaue@semissourian

388-3644