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Christmas tree lighting, parade will be Friday
SIKESTON — Like a Hallmark Christmas movie, Sikeston will be buzzing with Christmas spirit on Friday with the lighting of the Christmas tree and annual Downtown Parade of Lights.
“This year will be much like last year,” said Jason Davis, director of Historic Downtown Sikeston. “We will have wagon rides beginning around 5 p.m., the countdown and tree lighting at 6 p.m. and the Parade of Lights beginning at 7 p.m.”
In the past, the tree has been lit by mayor, police chief or leadership with Missouri Delta Medical Center but this year will be different. Davis said the promotions committee has decided to use the tree lighting to highlight and honor people who have made great contributions to Sikeston, specifically Historic Downtown Sikeston.
“This year, we decided to start a new tradition of honoring a Downtown merchant with the tree lighting,” Davis said. “We are excited to announce that Sam Thomas, owner of Sam’s Fine Jewelry, will be lighting the tree. Sam is a great partner with Historic Downtown. He is constantly improving his property, is consistently taking care of his customers, and is an overall great friend and citizen of Sikeston.”
There will be a change in music this year as well with no live band to perform. Instead a Christmas soundtrack will be played.
“Many people don’t realize how difficult it is on the musicians and the instruments if the weather is extremely cold or if there is precipitation of some sort,” Davis said. “So, to make certain we do not have any last minute issues, we decided to use some of the traditional holiday favorites.”
One Christmas favorite will be on tap in Santa Claus.
“We will have (Santa) set up in the Keith Collins Band Stand for anyone who would like to visit with him,” Davis said, adding that food trucks will also be set up in the parking lot just north of the Sikeston Depot.
The Parade of Lights will follow the tree lighting ceremony and is popular in the community, as many lined Sikeston streets last year to watch.
“We certainly hope the citizens of Sikeston and the surrounding region will come out and experience the magic of the Christmas season in Historic Downtown Sikeston,” Davis said. “It is always a ‘Hallmark’ type experience to see the crowds of people lining the streets and the long line of floats, brightly lit, winding through the Downtown streets.”
The route of the parade will be the same as last year. The parade will begin at the corner of New Madrid and North Street. It will then wind through Downtown by going west on North, east on Center and west again on Front, concluding near St. Francis Xavier Church.
“The parade has become a Christmas tradition for the City of Sikeston,” Davis said. “People are often so busy during the time of year, that they miss the joy that they should get to experience. Coming to Downtown Sikeston on Dec. 2 will provide the opportunity to sit back, enjoy the show, enjoy the community, enjoy the setting, and hopefully experience the true joy of the Christmas season.”