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Clauses, elves to participate in parade

Hot off the press is news from the North Pole that Merrimack’s Holiday Parade on Sunday, Dec. 4, will be followed by another lavishly festive event, the town’s Tree Lighting Ceremony at Abbie Griffin Park.

The parade will begin on Sunday at 3 p.m. from its assembly point at The Commons shopping area, across from the Merrimack post office. Marchers, music makers and floats will progress along Daniel Webster Highway to Baboosic Lake Road, then turn and head for McElwain Street. The parade will end at Town Hall and the Tree Lighting Ceremony will immediately follow.

About 1 p.m., staffers and volunteers from the Merrimack Parks and Recreation Department, the parade’s host, will be at Abbie Griffin Park, hard at work, setting up a high-tech audio system that soon will resound with music and welcomes.

Members of the Girl Scouts from Troops 10731 and 10011 also will be there, setting up refreshment tables loaded with tasty treats for the many holiday well-wishers expected to attend the tree lighting.

Sherry Kalish, director of the Merrimack Parks and Recreation Department, said she expects the event to draw neighbors and friends from all parts of Merrimack and beyond.

“The gathering of everyone in the community to share in the spirit of the season is a most joyous happening,” said Kalish. “Many groups contribute to the success of this event. We thank them all.”

The completion of the parade will mark a brief moment of relaxation for all who marched and for those who perched aboard parade floats or inside any of the sure-to-be beautifully decorated vehicles.

The Merrimack High School Marching Band, fresh from its appearance along the route, will quickly reassemble at Abbie Griffin Park. Some well-known renditions of holiday favorites are sure to be on the musical menu, ready to be shared, sing-a-long style, with visitors, guests and two special celebrities, Mr. and Mrs. Claus..

Mr. and Mrs. Claus, seated upon their float, will arrive at Abbie Griffin Park soon after the parade is ended. The band will be ready to serenade them with songs of the season, spiced with trumpet, trombone, flutes and many a rum-a-dum-dum.

A special emcee, Town Councilor Tom Koenig, will welcome Mr. and Mrs. Claus as they enter the park. Rumor has it that the couple named “Claus” is overjoyed at the chance to visit with the town’s children at the finish of the tree-lighting ceremony. They are sure to beam, also, as donations of non-perishable food items for local pantries are left under the tree.

Some talented dancers from Broadway Bound Performing Arts Center are expected to be on hand. The center is the place where many an up-and-coming star has learned to sing and dance. Don’t be surprised if refrains of, “We need a Little Christmas” fill the air.

There, too, will be a display of choreography from students of the Belinda Bridgeman Academy of Dance, performing “Rockin’ around the Christmas Tree,” and a bit of “The Nutcracker” by Trans Siberian Orchestra.

The overall performance, less than five minutes, is one not to be missed.

Santa and his elves will broadcast the countdown – 10, 9, 8, 7 – leading to the tree’s illumination. It’s expected to be a manifestation of the warmth and magic of the season. Everyone will be invited to join in singing Santa’s favorite songs as the tree’s decorations sparkle and glow. Santa has revealed that an elf named “Phil” at Town Hall was entrusted with dressing the tree in its finest trinkets and baubles.

Mr. and Mrs. Claus then will read, “‘Twas the Night before Christmas.” The event promised to be a great opportunity for photos and video.

And no doubt, when it comes time for the emcee to wish everyone a wonderful ride home and a Merry Christmas, there will be plenty of warm memories going home, too.

More information on Merrimack’s Holiday Parade and the Tree Lighting Ceremony can be had by calling the Merrimack Parks and Recreation Department at 882-1046.