Holiday shopping kicks off

Historic Downtown Sikeston hosted its first holiday open house of the season over the Nov. 10-11 weekend. Downtown stores offered specials and extended hours. Attendees also had the chance to meet Santa Claus and take carriage rides. Sikeston will officially kick off the holiday season with a Christmas tree lighting at 6 p.m. Dec. 1 at Legion Park followed by the Dashing through Downtown Christmas Parade of Lights. The Christmas village will also open, and stores will offer specials then, too.