(NOv. 20) -- The annual Historic Downtown Sikeston Parade of Lights is right around the corner and many in the community are planning to take part.

Set for Friday, Dec. 1, 2023, the parade is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. As of Thursday morning, there were 25 floats set to take part in the parade with entries still being taken.

Lineup for the parade may begin at noon and all floats need to be in place by 6:15 p.m. No large animals are permitted. When lining up, do not park in the post office parking lot and instead wrap around Kingshighway and then down Lake Street.

The parade will start at the corner of North and Kingshighway and travel west to N. Stoddard, then east across W. Center, north onto Kingshighway and then west onto Front Street, ending at St. Francis Xavier Catholic School.

Whether you are a big corporation or just an individual in the holiday spirit, you are encouraged to enter the parade or come watch. The only light rule is that you must have a minimum of one strand/100 lights, whether they are wrapped around you as you walk or put on an extravagant float.

Those that register in advance are entered into the list of entries to be judges to win the grand prize money. You can send a blank email to sikestonchristmas@gmail.com for an immediate response with the registration link and a copy of the rules/regulations or simply follow the link at: https://forms.gle/KJXa2g3VwkQNpSoL7