NOMINATIONS BEINGS OUGHT FOR HOLIDAY OF LIGHTS COMPETITION

Homeowners have less than three weeks to decide if their Christmas decorations are worthy of a prestigious Holiday of Lights Award.

The Cape Girardeau Area Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitors Bureau join each year to plan Holiday of Lights -- a bus tour and competition meant to spread a little Christmas spirit.

People may pick up Holiday of Lights Award nomination forms at the West Park Mall information desk or the chamber office. Anyone who thinks their home or friend's or neighbor's home will be worthy of honor because of outdoor Christmas decor may submit a nomination form. They should be mailed or delivered to the chamber office by Dec. 1.

Holiday of Lights chairperson Adele Kupchella said organizers were returning to the nomination system after an unsuccessful departure last year. In 1994, the judges drove around every street in Cape Girardeau to find the best-decorated house. They found some, but then got calls from upset residents who thought other homes were worthy of awards.

This year a home must be nominated in advance.

Kupchella expects to receive many forms after Thanksgiving, when people decorate their homes and businesses and decide to enter the competition.

Three homes or businesses from each of seven sections of Cape Girardeau will win. Judging will be from 6-8 p.m. Dec. 4, and all nominees should have their lights on at that time.

Judges will look for unique, creative light displays with good use of color.

The real winners in the Holiday of Lights competition are residents who get to enjoy the lights. Janet Esicar of the project said Holiday of Lights puts people in the Christmas spirit.

"Each year we see more and more people choosing to decorate throughout the community," she said. "And it gets a little friendly competition going between neighbors."

On Dec. 8, 9, 15 and 16, bus tours will leave at 7 p.m. from the former Port Cape West restaurant in West Park Mall. For $1 per person, families may ride one of four buses around town on the tour, then enjoy refreshments inside the mall.

It's a great deal, Esicar said, especially for people who usually volunteer to drive a car around town and then miss seeing the lights themselves.

"We've sold out of tickets so far each year," she said. "We always have a tremendous response."