Annual holiday parade makes the season bright

Thursday, December 24, 2009

To the Editor:

Floats decorated with holiday colors, children dressed as presents, dogs with bows and the sounds of percussion filled the afternoon air, on Sunday, Dec. 6, for Merrimack’s annual holiday parade. The parade, hosted by the Merrimack Parks and Recreation Department and the Merrimack Chamber of Commerce, began at Town Hall and ended at Fraser Square where Santa and Mrs. Claus were excited to meet the children and hear their wishes! For anyone who participated or may have missed the parade, hundreds of professional candid photographs chronicling the parade and events at Fraser Square were taken by Glynis Citarelli of SweetShot Photography and can be viewed by visiting www. merrimackchamber.org.

We would like to thank everyone who participated in this year’s parade, “Peace – Let it begin with me.” The parade was led by the DARE vehicle, driven by Sam Walker of “Sam the Music Man,” followed closely by many Boy Scout Troops and Cub Scout Packs, the amazing Merrimack High School Marching Band under the direction of Pat Cunningham and many Merrimack community Girl Scout Troops led by Pat Murphy.

The many festive float entries included the Merrimack Cardinal cheerleaders, Paper Moon Dance, K-9 Behavior Savior LLC led by Patti Pharo, Family Chiropractic led by Dr. Tony Lowenberg, St.James United Methodist Church, NH Right Riders, 96.5 The Mill, Critter Control, Merrimack Sno Buds, Merrimack Concert Association, Bentley Commons at Bedford, Domino’s Pizza, the Parks and Recreation Department and Committee, the Merrimack Chamber of Commerce sleigh with Santa and Mrs. Claus on the float driven by Mark Rivet of Rivet Funeral Homes and the Merrimack Fire Department’s display of fire trucks for the big finish!

We would to like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone who has helped to keep Merrimack’s holiday tradition alive.

Special thanks to Chamber of Commerce President Bob Ellis of Stonebridge Benefits Group, Chamber Treasurer Robin Boivin of Robin L. Boivin CPA, Merrimack High School students Joey Atamian and Bryan Courtemanche, and Trinity High School student Zach Boivin for the festive Fraser Square holiday decorations; Al Soucy and Jeff Kibbie of Custom Electric & Communications for providing the power and bright lights to the display; Glynis Citarelli of SweetShot Photography for her amazing candid photography taken throughout the day; Merrimack Girl Scout Troop 10731, Mark Cook from Uno’s in Concord, and Dr. Tony Lowenberg of Family Chiropractic for keeping everyone warm by providing and serving Hot Chocolate and hot apple cider; and the Merrimack Police Department for directing traffic and keeping us safe during the 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!

KELLY VALLUZZI

Town of Merrimack

Parks and Recreation Department

DEB COURTEMANCHE

Merrimack Chamber of Commerce