After all the Thanksgiving meals have been eaten and the leftovers put away, area residents can get into the Christmas spirit by visiting the Holiday of Lights at Cape Girardeau County Park, which opens today at dusk and will be lit from dusk until 11 p.m. every day until New Year's Eve.

"It's a holiday tradition in this area for a lot of families," said Bruce Watkins, the park's superintendent. "We'll probably have between 45,000 to 46,000 cars come through."

It is a tradition that started in 1987 with 11 displays and has grown to include 193 displays this year, 22 of which are new this year. The displays are put together by area businesses, organizations as well as residents, who sometimes erect a memorial to remember a deceased relative.

Because of the limited number of spaces available for display a waiting list -- now with 14 names -- exists.

Cape Family Practice doctors' office in Cape Girardeau was on the waiting list for a year before a space became available.

Office manager Genni Ourth said the practice wants to participate in the Holiday of Lights as a way to celebrate the season with the community as well as to advertise their business.

"A lot of families go through there and because we're a family practice we thought it would be a good way to get our name out there."

The practice's Dr. Anthony Keele is responsible for the display, which features a small white Christmas tree and four deer whose heads turn.

Another new addition to this year's Holiday of Lights is a display by Chateau Girardeau.

The Chateau's display features three small trees in back of a choir of three boys singing "Joy to the World" and is located near the park entrance.

"We had been waiting awhile to get the right spot," said marketing and public relations director Gail Gorham. "We feel like we have a great spot because people will see it coming in and see it coming out and we have the most beautiful evergreen tree behind it."

All the artistic work on the display was done by Chateau residents.

Resident Pat Tipton drew the design and painted while residents Dr. Ken Moxey, Billy Jones, Fred Graper and Rupert Fiehler worked on it at the Chateau's wood shop.

Gorham said it was important for the Chateau to be a part of the Holiday of Lights because it shows that the facility is supports the community.

The Cape Girardeau Convention and Visitors Bureau has been a part of the Holiday of Lights almost from the start and have kept its holiday house display for several years.

"I think for us its a way to say we're proud to be a part of the community," said bureau director Chuck Martin. "There are certainly people who go through that come from all parts of the surrounding community. This is a way to be able to extend a welcome and a holiday greeting."

kalfisi@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182