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Local merchants gear up for start of holiday shopping, open houses
SIKESTON -- Local merchants are preparing for holiday open houses next weekend, and city officials assure several items matching wish lists can be found in their downtown districts.
Lynn Lancaster, who is the executive director of Historic Downtown Sikeston, even named the many items available at the local merchants.
"We have baked goods, coffee, purses, prom dresses, jewelry, groceries, salon services, musical instruments, guns, clothes, Bibles, antiques, hats, sporting goods, clothing, home decor, office supplies and much more," Lancaster said.
Sikeston will have its Downtown Holiday Open House from 9 a.m to 9 p.m. Nov. 13 and and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 14 at various downtown stores and the Sikeston Depot Museum.
"The merchants are all having specials, and Santa will be at Shelter Insurance where parents can take a picture for free of their child or dog or whoever you want to sit on Santa's lap," Lancaster joked. "It's really a big weekend for the merchants."
There will be store specials, refreshments and carriage rides. All of the merchants have extended hours on Friday, and they will be open all day Saturday. A few merchants will also be open on Sunday.
"Magical Christmas with Mickey and Minnie" will also take place at Purs'N'Ality on Center Street.
In addition, this year the Sikeston Board of Municipal Utilities will present a new 10-song, Christmas-themed light show during the evening hours on Nov. 13 and 14.
Merchant holiday open houses are also planned in other towns next weekend.
Charleston Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Karen Teeters said Charleston will have a Christmas open house from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 13, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Nov. 14 and from noon to 4 p.m. Nov. 15.
Participating businesses are among North and South Main and East Marshall streets. The merchants will be holding a drawing for $125 in gift certificates and many will have sales on selected merchandise and other promotions, Teeters said.
"Santa will be making his rounds Saturday morning as well and would love to see the children in the area so he can get a head start with the elves on their wish lists," Teeters said.
East Prairie is also getting into the Christmas spirit next weekend.
Cyndi Norton, director of the East Prairie Chamber of Commerce, said the second annual Christmas tree lighting will be at 5 p.m. Nov. 14 at the gazebo on Main Street.
"We have a pine tree planted in honor of the late Miss Shirley Pritchett, and we decorate it and put lights and ornaments on it," Norton said.
There will be special music by local teens Caitlin Krauss and the Girls Show Choir.
"We'll have a little prayer and then light the tree," Norton said.
City Administrator Lonnie Thurmond and the city workers will have the honor of lighting the tree this year, she said.
"The board has picked them because they have worked so hard to get our downtown updated with new street lights, trees and sod," Norton said.
Free hot chocolate will be provided by the East Prairie Chamber of Commerce following the tree lighting.
Then, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 15, businesses will have an open house, offering discounts and specials, Norton said.
"There will be lots of door prizes, sales and giveaways," Norton said. "Remember to shop local first.
She continued: "We know we don't have everything, but if you shop local first, then you can seek outside what you can't find in town."
New Madrid County Chamber Executive Director Christina McWaters said New Madrid is also gearing up for the season. Its candlelight tours will be 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 11-12 with the third annual Christmas parade at 3 p.m. Dec. 12.
For the complete story, see the Sunday edition of the Standard Democrat.