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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Monday, November 17, 2008 9:47 PM CST
Lightworks to brighten Peterson Park Friday
Christmas parade entries sought

By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com

MATTOON — The twinkling lights go on Friday night in Peterson Park for another year of holiday cheer.

And in another sign of the impending season of joy, entries are being accepted through Nov. 24 for the city’s Nov. 29 Christmas parade.

The 2008 edition of Mattoon Lightworks offers some “oldies and goodies” with some displays revamped, said Mattoon Tourism Coordinator Angelia Burgett. The magic starts at 5 p.m. in the park with the nightly displays scheduled through Dec. 28.

“We have a good turnout each year. People really look forward to this. They put it on their calendars. Some people come year after year,” she said.

Admission to the holiday light display is free, but donations are accepted at the end of the lighted route in the park. Visitors can see the park illuminated with tens of thousands of light bulbs and coming alive with animated displays.

In keeping with the season, live nativity scenes start on the night of Dec. 6 near the DeMars Building. Lightworks is open daily, barring extreme weather, 5-9 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 5-10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Another holiday tradition for Mattoon is getting lined up for the morning of Nov. 29. Entries are being taken for the 2008 Mattoon Christmas Parade with the theme “Dreaming of a White Christmas.”

Burgett said she has already received calls from people interested in joining the procession.

“They’ve been calling pretty early this year so they could plan their floats,” she said.

Entry forms, which are due Nov. 24, can be picked up at city hall in the brochure rack by the north entrance to the building. There is no entry fee and the parade is open to anyone in the area.

The parade steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 29, along Western Avenue at 21st Street.

“We’re one of the few Christmas parades in the area,” said Burgett.

The timing of the parade just after Thanksgiving can produce one intangible for parade participants: the weather. Some years it rains. Past parades have been pelted by sleet. And there have been parade days approaching the winter wonderland level.

Bands from the middle and high school are on the tentative lineup list, but that could change if the weather is so sour that members cannot play their instruments.

“We get a mix of everything. We’re hoping for a good turnout if the weather holds up,” Burgett said.

Parade entries can also show up on the morning of the parade, which starts its lineup at 9 a.m. that day. For more information, call Burgett’s office at 258-6286.

Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.

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