Crowds gather in downtown Cape for Parade of Lights

Hundreds of spectators lined Broadway on Sunday evening to view the 22nd annual Downtown Christmas Parade of Lights, which has taken on an iconic air over the years, according to one official.

Even as procession participants readied their floats, balmy weather meant people arrived early to stake out prime viewing spots well in advance of the dusk starting time.

For the Old Town Cape event, this year's theme was "Christmas Fun for Everyone" and grand marshals were Drs. Bert and Mary Ann Kellerman.

Entries included everything from regional high school bands, churches and fire departments to businesses and not-for-profit organizations.

Some people turned out because it's a seasonal tradition. Others attended for the first time.

Erika, right, and Raylee Bening, 4, hand out candy during the 22nd annual Parade of Lights on Sunday in Cape Girardeau. (Adam Vogler)

"We're enjoying it. It's fantastic. The lights are pretty. It's really getting me in the holiday spirit, and the weather's not as cold as it's been in years past, so it's a perfect night," said Ashley Seabaugh of Cape Girardeau, who went to the event with her family.

Ashley Kelley of Jackson brought her 2-year-old son Liam and husband.

"This is his first parade and he's having a blast," Kelley said. "He keeps saying, 'Look, look.' It's just kind of a Christmas tradition to come every year."

Travis Glueck of Sikeston, Mo., said there's nothing like this in his hometown.

"It's wonderful," Glueck said. "It's the first time we've been to it. We just heard about it here in town. The kids wanted to come see it."

Denise Hoppe, manager of Pizza Hut in Cape Girardeau, said this is the fourth or fifth year the store has taken part.

"We love it," Hoppe said. "We have a lot of fun. Every year we've got several people that help us out, not just our employees."

An enthusiastic group, So God Made a Farmer, is made up of about 20 friends from Southern Illinois. This was their first year in the parade. Their float on the back of a semi-length flatbed included burlap sacks of corn, large and small tractors and Mrs. Claus.

"We haven't slept in three days," Eric Lambdin of Wolf Lake, Ill., said, adding it took two or three days to construct the float.

Lonnie Williford, Emmett Baker and U.V. Campbell made their first appearance in the parade with a Helping Hands of Cape Girardeau float. Helping Hands, which will be two years old in February, is a not-for-profit organization that conducts fundraisers to help those in need of paying their electric bills, for example, Williford said. He said Helping Hands is looking to partner with other organizations that offer similar services. Campbell said the group wants to raise awareness that it's out there.

"We're all prayer men and we're God-driven. It always says in the Bible to give back and help those in need," Williford said.

Old Town Cape offers an ornament every year that's connected with downtown. This year it is of the Oliver-Leming House, owned by the Kellermans, said Nicholle Hinkle, project manager for Old Town Cape.

As Cape Girardeau police were closing off roads along the route, Hinkle said she was excited about this year's procession.

"I think it's kind of become an iconic event," she said. " ... I feel like every year it gets larger and people get more involved in it."

Hinkle said 25 volunteers help make the parade a reality, the main ones being Ken and Vicki Zickfield. Planning starts in June. "That's when they pick the theme," she said.

Float winners were selected by Mary Jane Caldwell, Zac Caldwell, Debbie Farrow, Cherie Herbst and Dr. Roseanna Whitlow-Greenwood. Lisa Gerlach was head of the judges.

Gerlach said entries are judged on how well they follow the theme.

"We judge on the lighting and the music, not just the ones that drive by in their commercial truck," she said.

This year was different because judges distinguished between business and not-for-profit entries. In years past, Gerlach said, there were six categories with first, second and third place awarded. For this parade, there was one winner per category.

This year's winners were: God Made a Farmer, best theme; Hutson's Fine Furniture, best appearance (business); Levi's Adventure Trail, best appearance (not-for-profit); Happy Slapowitz's Toy Bash, best music; National Multiple Sclerosis Society, best lighting; Advance, Mo., High School, best marching band; Anderson Broadcasting C106.1, Chairman's award.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

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