PARADE OF LIGHTS BIGGER AND BETTER

In the five short years of its existence, the Holiday Parade of Lights in Downtown Cape Girardeau, like the lighted displays in the County Park, has become a colorful tradition anchoring the most joyous season of the year. This year's parade will feature 120 entries, including some from Jackson and surrounding communities that will help to swell the scene. Authorities were wise to cancel it last week as they faced Sunday's downpour that dumped approximately one and a half inches of rain on the region in a cold and miserable afternoon. The floats would have been mighty damp, as would the shrunken corps of spectators brave enough to venture out in such nasty weather. Moreover, late reports include this happy consequence: The rescheduling will permit the addition of at least eight more units.

With today's forecast of seasonal temperatures and no rain, it looks as though a welcome tradition can resume once again. The action kicks off at 5 p.m. from Capaha Park and moves east on Broadway and then down Main Street, ending at another Cape Girardeau holiday tradition: Hutson's Furniture, home to the smartly decorated, action-packed Christmas window. Here's hoping this forecast holds and that large crowds turn out to embrace this community celebration.