Merrimack helpers thanked

Friday, December 16, 2011

To the Editor:

The crowds lined the streets of Merrimack on Sunday, Dec. 4, for the annual Holiday Parade hosted by the Merrimack Parks and Recreation Department and Merrimack Chamber of Commerce.

Hundreds of residents were treated to the sights and sounds of holiday spirit on this beautiful balmy December day. The glorious high school marching band filled the air with the sound of percussion, colorful floats, holiday dancers and many Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts marched along sending holiday cheer. The parade started at The Commons Shopping Plaza and proceeded to Abbie Griffin Park where the Tree Lighting Ceremony took place.

We sincerely appreciate the generosity of the Tractor Supply for allowing us to safely organize the parade participants in their parking lot. The crowd was delighted to see Santa and Mrs. Claus, dazzled by the spectacular performances given by the students of Broadway Bound and Belinda Bridgeman Academy of Dance, and thrilled to join in a community sing-a-long of holiday carols.

We would like to thank everyone who participated in this year’s parade, “Light up the Night with Holiday Spirit.” Police Honor Guard members Lt. Matt Tarleton, Sgt. Ted Dillon, officer Mike Marcotte and officer Greg Walters led the parade. They were followed closely by the DARE vehicle with Police Chief Mark Doyle, hundreds of Girls Scouts led by Alicia Nelson, the amazing Merrimack High School marching band under the direction of Pat Cunningham, Boy Scout and Cub Scout Packs led by Arene Berry and Kathy Bartunek, Belinda Bridgeman Academy of Dance led by Belinda Bridgeman-Freeman and Brittany Freeman, Bentley Commons, Greater Nashua TriSprint Triathlon led by Laura Moran, Merrimack High School Interact Club, Broadway Bound dancers led by Raegan Lopez, 96.5 The Mill, 95.7 WZID, ID Video Solutions driven by Pastor Joubert, 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 Parks and Recreation Committee members Laura Jayne, Chris Christenson, Jackie Flood, Janet Cormier and Lynne Wenz, and Chamber members Laurie Armstrong-Whitney of Home, Health & Hospice Care, Dave Chouinard, Allied Plumbing & Heating, Pastor Joubert, and ID Video Solutions who were all instrumental in their assistance before and during the parade!

We would to like to extend our sincere thanks and appreciation to everyone who participated in the lovely Tree Lighting Ceremony. Special thanks to our distinguished guests Santa and Mrs. Claus, Emcee – Town Councilor Tom Koenig; Nicholas Lavallee, the town’s media services coordinator, for all his help with the sound equipment; music leader Wendy Greenland; Merrimack High School Marching Band lead by Pat Cunningham; Broadway Bound, choreographed by Raegan Lopez, Belinda Bridgeman Academy of Dance, under the direction of Belinda Bridgeman-Freeman and Brittany Freeman; and Merrimack Girl Scouts Cadet Troop 10011 and Senior Troop 10731 for serving the community with their delicious cookies, hot apple cider and hot chocolate. Thank you to the Merrimack Police Department for your 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.

KELLY VALLUZZI

Parks and Recreation Department

Merrimack