Downtown Cape shoppers try for chance at spree

Violinist Rebecca Goot played Christmas songs at Zickfield Jewelers, music teacher Pam Dumey and sixth-grade student Rachel Bagot performed similar tunes on recorders at Renaissance gift shop, Santa Claus posed for pictures at the Southeast Missourian, and some shoppers rested their feet with carriage rides.

The second Downtown Christmas Open House in Cape Girardeau drew Ginger and Gary McWaters from Sikeston, Mo.

"We look forward to the afternoon and the decorations," he said.

Others shoppers in downtown Cape Girardeau were on a mission Friday night. They were visiting enough stores to qualify for the $2,000 shopping spree to be awarded in a drawing tonight.

Twenty-six downtown merchants are participating in the two-day event. They range from restaurants to antique stores and gift shops. The stores are providing a card that must be stamped by 13 different shops for the customer to qualify for the drawing.

The open house continues until 5 p.m. today, when the cards must be turned in. The drawing for the winner will be held at that time at the downtown clock at the intersection of Themis and Main streets. The winner does not need to be present.

No purchase is required, but entrants must be 18 or older. Employees of the Southeast Missourian and the 26 participating merchants are not eligible for the prize.

The Southeast Missourian is sponsoring the open house.