Christmas dreams come alive in Cape Girardeau's annual Parade of Lights

Editor's note: This article has been updated to include the time the parade begins.

Twinkling lights and holiday songs will fill downtown Cape Girardeau at 5 p.m. Sunday for the 19th annual Parade of Lights.

More than 100 entries will make up this year's parade. All floats must be lit and either play recorded music or perform live music, said Toni Eftink, special projects manager at Old Town Cape.

This year's theme is "Christmas Dreams."

From local businesses and churches and charitable organizations to classic cars and even equestrians, the parade will offer something for everyone.

Bands performing in this years parade include Oran High School band, Bell City High School band, the Egyptian Marching Pharoahs and the Notre Dame Regional High School band.

"To have a lighted parade, with music, creates a really fun atmosphere," said Ken Zickfield, parade chairman. "Good weather is always a plus and it looks like we'll have it this year."

The parade route will begin at Capaha Park and end at Main and Merriwether streets, near Hutson's Fine Furniture's captivating holiday window displays.

Santa Claus will be the last entry in the parade, arriving in a horse-drawn sleigh, Eftink said.

Prizes will be awarded in several categories and parade judges will be stationed near Dino's Pizza on Broadway.

The Parade of Lights is made possible by Christmas in Old Town Cape sponsors who also assist with the Downtown Christmas Open House on Dec. 3 and 4 and downtown Christmas decoration expenses. Those sponsors are Drury Southwest, Rhodes 101 Convenience Stores and Regions Bank.

"This parade is a good way to start the celebration of Christmas. It's a community tradition," Zickfield said.

For more information, call Old Town Cape and 334-8085.

mmiller@semissourian.com

388-3646

Pertinent address:

418 Broadway Street, Cape Girardeau, Mo