Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony a Huge Success!

MERRIMACK, N.H. – Crowds lined the streets of Merrimack on Sunday, December 2, for the annual Holiday Parade hosted by the Merrimack Parks and Recreation Department and the Merrimack Chamber of Commerce.  Hundreds of attendees were treated to the sights and sounds of holiday spirit. The sounds of percussion from the Merrimack High School marching band filled the air, colorful floats, holiday dancers, and many Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts marched along sending holiday cheer!  The parade traveled from the Merrimack Commons Shopping Plaza to Abbie Griffin Park where the Tree Lighting Ceremony was held.  We sincerely appreciate Tractor Supply for allowing us the use of their parking lot to organize the parade.  The crowd was delighted to see Santa and Mrs. Claus and dazzled by the spectacular performances by the students of Broadway Bound and the Belinda Bridgeman Academy of Dance.  Many who attended took pictures and videos of the event and these are all available by visiting Merrimack Patch.  Thank you to Carolyn Dube of Merrimack Patch and to all who contributed to capturing the true essence of this festive holiday event.

We would like to thank everyone who participated in this year’s parade, “Holiday Season ~ A Time for Paws & Reflection”:  Police Honor Guard members led the parade, closely followed by the DARE vehicle with Police Chief Mark Doyle. Hundreds of Girls Scouts, the amazing Merrimack High School marching band under the direction of Pat Cunningham, Boy Scout and Cub Scout Packs, PTA Preschool, Belinda Bridgeman Academy of Dance led by Brittany Freeman, Bentley Commons, High Hopes Foundation of NH, Kona Ice, Broadway Bound dancers led by Raegan Lopez, Family Chiropractic of Merrimack & Wellness Center, 96.5 The Mill, 95.7 WZID, J. Wheeler Paint Co., American Cancer Society, Sno-Buds led by Newt Coryell, NH Right Riders led by Roger Blais, Parks and Recreation Committee driven by Chris Woods of Advantage Insurance, the Merrimack Chamber of Commerce sleigh with Santa and Mrs. Claus driven by Mark Rivet of Rivet Funeral Home & Crematorium, and the Merrimack Fire Department’s display of fire trucks for the big finish!  We would also like to thank, the Chamber of Commerce and Parks and Recreation Committee members who were instrumental in their assistance before and during the parade.

We also wish to extend a sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone who participated in the Tree Lighting Ceremony.  Special thanks to our distinguished guests Santa and Mrs. Claus, Emcee – Town Council Chairman Tom Mahon,  Kevin Nunley for providing music and sound, Merrimack High School Marching Band lead by Pat Cunningham, Broadway Bound – choreographed by Raegan Lopez, Belinda Bridgeman Academy of Dance- under the direction of Brittany Freeman, Derrick Chow of the Town Media Division for taping the Tree Lighting Ceremony which will air on Merrimack TV throughout the Holiday Season, the Merrimack Girl Scouts Troop 10596 for serving the community with their delicious cookies and hot apple cider, Qdoba Mexican Grill for donating more than 400 glow sticks, Tortilla Flat, Merrimack Graphics, Phil Meschino for his support in setting up the Christmas Tree, and last but certainly not least,  the Merrimack Police Department for their community support during this popular event!

Thank you all so much for making the season bright!  The Merrimack Parks and Recreation Department and the Merrimack Chamber of Commerce would like to wish you and yours a very happy holiday season and a wonderful new year!