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Historic Downtown Sikeston prepares for Christmas parade, return of village
SIKESTON — With the holiday season quickly approaching, Sikeston Parks and Recreation and the Street Department are hard at work decorating Legion Park in Historic Downtown Sikeston for the holiday season, with plans to finish the Christmas Village within the next two weeks.
The City of Sikeston employees began preparing for the addition of the Christmas Village in Legion Park the week of Nov. 13 by first putting up the Christmas tree and other Christmas lights.
The shadowbox replicas of city landmarks will start being installed in Legion Park on Monday, Nov. 27, according to Abbi Lindsey, Sikeston Parks and Recreation coordinator.
Lindsey said the first Christmas Village building was displayed in 2018, and the village has grown over the years. Lindsey went on to say that nothing new will be added to the village this year. The village was placed on a three-year ongoing budget, which has now run out. Lindsey said they will continue to repair and maintain the existing village replica pieces, but no new ones will be added.
Santa’s workshop, candy shop, depot, town hall, church, school, fire house, and police station are all shadowbox replicas in the Christmas village.
According to Lindsey, the shadowbox replicas are a wonderful and unique addition to downtown during the Christmas season, and they are great for photo opportunities.
“The replicas are interactive and hold history of Sikeston in each piece,” Lindsey said. “It’s nostalgic for adults and adds child-size magic for the kids that come see it.”
Jason Davis, director of Historic Downtown Sikeston, said the Christmas Village has been a part of the Legion Park decorations for several years and agreed with Lindsey that the shadowbox replicas provide a nostalgic vibe.
“The villages provide a nostalgia and a historic vibe to the Christmas events,” Davis said. “From the depot to the church, and with the addition of the power plant last year, it provides families the opportunity to experience stories that are uniquely ‘Sikeston’ in nature while also adding Christmas cheer to the experience.”
The Christmas Village, according to Lindsey, will be completed by Friday, Dec. 1, just in time for the tree lighting ceremony and the Parade of Lights. Lindsey said the shadowbox replica of Santa’s workshop will hand out treats on Friday, Dec. 1.
The Sixth Annual ‘Dashing Through Downtown’ Parade of Lights will begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. Prior to the parade, the Christmas tree lighting will take place at 6 p.m.
As of now, Lindsey said the Christmas Village will be on display until Jan. 7, 2024.