Holiday of Lights Display

HISTORY Cape Girardeau County Park's light display began in 1987 as a cooperative effort between the Cape Girardeau County Park Board, the County Commission and the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri. The idea was to provide a location for citizens of Cape county to decorate, collectively, with lights for the holidays. The Light Display brings folks together from all over the county; to contribute each display and later to enjoy the collected whole. Any organization, individual or business in Cape County can participate. There is no charge. Displays may be almost anything, from decorated memorial trees to elaborately lighted scenes or traditional winter-holiday symbols. To preserve the spirit of the display, commercial advertising is limited to a 12"x18" sign, white with red lettering, bearing the participant's name.   That first year, 1987, 11 displays were set up, including:   American Association of University Women   Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce   Cape Girardeau Fire Department - star on tower   Cape Knights of Columbus   St. Francis Medical Center   St. Mary's Church   Scope Club   SEMO German Club   Telephone Pioneers Life Members   Town & Country Extension Club   Tuesday Club

HOLIDAY OF LIGHTS REGULATIONS Display must be of a Winter Holiday theme.   Power will be provided to displays at no charge.   No cardboard, paper or posterboard displays allowed.   In keeping with the Holiday spirit, no commercialization allowed.   Sign on display depicting name of individual or organization shall be no larger than 12" by 18".   Sign to be white with red lettering.   Displays may be installed starting 10 days prior to Thanksgiving.   Superintendent Bruce Watkins shall assign locations. Same location will be available each year. (If you participated last year, your location will be the same.)   Name and phone number of person to contact in case of wind damage, vandalism, burned out light, etc. shall be given to the Park Office.   Security for displays will begin seeven days before Thanksgiving and end on the 8th of January.   The lights will be turned on at 5:00 PM Thanksgiving eve.   Displays to be removed within 7 days starting Jan. 1, 1998. (All holes to be filled or compacted.)   Any display not conforming to these regulations will be removed.       Whether or not you participated in the Holiday of Lights Display last year, the County Park needs to know if you intend to participate this year.