Lighting up the holiday spirit

Sidewalks on Broadway were packed tight Sunday night as hundreds of spectators turned out to see the Cape Girardeau Christmas Parade of Lights.

Some came a few hours early to get good spots to watch the parade, which started at 5:30 p.m.

"I've been here since about three giving out free hot chocolate," said Brandelin Frazier of Cape Girardeau. "The temperature's not bad, it's just really windy. It's definitely worth it to see the parade. One year I even sat in the rain to watch it."

The Parade of Lights boasted more than 100 entries, including floats, 18-wheelers, trailers and cars, among others, that wheeled down Broadway from Capaha Park to Main Street. This year's theme was "Home for the Holidays."

"I'd say it's the biggest parade in Southeast Missouri," said parade chairman Kent Zickfield. "And we appreciate all the people in the community who support it."

Entries in the parade ranged from jazz bands riding on trailers to a team of young twirlers wearing red Rudolph noses and decked out in lights to small replicas of homes, complete with families enjoying the holidays.

An unusual entry came from the Evangelical United Church of Christ, whose three wise men riding camels won it the chairman's trophy for best overall entry.

The camels were provided by Dave Hale, who runs 5-H Ranch near Cape Girardeau. The ranch sends camels all over the United States for Christmas events, he said.

One of the larger displays of the Christmas spirit was the SEMO Harley Owners Group float and motorcade.

"We sometimes have about 30 to 40 riders," said Pat Jenkins of Cape Girardeau. "We probably have about that many today."

The Harley Owners Group took the first-place trophy for appearance in floats over 25 feet. Heartland Telephone took second in that category, while Rental Land Special Events took third.

In appearance under 25 feet, Dana Torque-Traction took first, the Junior American Red Cross won second, and Coldwell Banker Abernathy Realty took third.

Rose Bed Inn took first place for enthusiasm, with Bootheel Twirlers coming in second and Lynwood Baptist placing third.

The Nell Holcomb band won for best music. VIP Industries was second, and the Notre Dame band third.

Best lighting went to Girl Scout Troop 280, with St. Francis Medical Center in second and the Missouri Veterans Commission in third.

Christ Church of the Heartland came in first in the theme category, with the Cooking Club in second and Pavestone in third.

msanders@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 226