Merrimack’s Holiday Parade added extra sparkle to an already cheerful seasonal mood shared by families who lined the streets Dec. 5. The event was hosted by the Merrimack Parks and Recreation Department and the Merrimack Chamber of Commerce with help from dozens of lively volunteer elves.

A smartly stepping color guard, along with Merrimack Police and Fire Rescue vehicles of vintage and modern eras, accompanied hundreds of participants in the event from the parade’s launch point at The Commons shopping center, across from the Merrimack Post Office, to its termination point at Town Hall.

Upon the parade’s departure, thanks were extended from Sherry Kalish, director of Merrimack’s Parks and Recreation Department, to the staff of the Tractor Supply Co. at The Commons for showing a generous measure of community spirit in making available for the assembly a large portion of the store’s spacious parking lot.

The cavalcade left The Commons and rolled along Daniel Webster Highway, much to the delight of spectators. Crowds cheered as the marchers filtered into Abbie Griffin Park, where Merrimack’s official Christmas tree was illuminated to a chorus of “oohs” and “ahhs.”

Town Councilor Tom Koenig, a veteran of more than two decades of volunteer service at the annual event, was the emcee of the tree-lighting ceremony. Sing-a-longs, dancing and story-telling occurred. Visits with Santa and food donations of non-perishable items took place.

The bounty, according to Kalish, was dispatched to St. John Neumann, a local Catholic church that hosts a food pantry for needy families who come there for assistance throughout the year – not just at Christmas.

The 2011 holiday parade was populated with representatives from dozens of community groups, civic groups and businesses. Youngsters from Girl Scout troops, Boy Scout groups and Cub Scout packs wore uniforms festooned with merit badges. Some young ladies also wore perky, red velvet headbands topped with faux deer antlers.

The Merrimack High School Marching Band was one of the first groups to perform for the crowds. It made its way along with high-stepping, flag-flying enthusiasm. Dancers from Broadway Bound Performing Arts Center and the Belinda Bridgeman Academy of Dance performed intricate choreographies punctuated with skips, jumps and lots of high kicks.

A brigade of motorcyclists from New Hampshire’s Right Riders, a group that advocates safe riding on streets and trails, arrived aboard a noisy cluster of mini-motorcycles and a dozen or more mud-splattered, knobby-tired, revved-up dirt bikes. A float featuring snowmobiles and members of Merrimack Sno-Buds, a popular local snowmobiling club, added more excitement.

Santa Claus, accompanied by Mrs. Claus and “Tucker” – a cute, little dog dressed in red and white – sat high up upon a powerful, festively decorated Ford 350 truck driven by one of Santa’s helpers, Mark Rivet, a member of the Merrimack Chamber of Commerce and associate of Rivet Funeral Home.

Santa’s float was preceded by one that carried the Parks and Recreation department’s parade committee and a goodly amount of parade equipment. Chris Woods, owner of Advantage Insurance and a member of the Merrimack Chamber, drove the vehicle and did his share of waving to the crowd.

Deb Courtemanche, of the Merrimack Chamber of Commerce, offered thanks to some key people whose assistance, before and during the parade fairly ensured its success. She thanked Laurie Armstrong-Whitney (Home, Health & Hospice Care), Dave Chouinard (Allied Plumbing & Heating) and Pastor Joubert (ID Video Solutions) for their many contributions.

Mrs. Claus later said the day’s two events, the parade and the tree- lighting, were combined this year, much to the delight of those in attendance. She said that by conducting both events on the same afternoon, one after the other, a much larger than usual attendance participated in both of the activities.

“I thought the whole day was just wonderful,” she said. “The band was exceptional. It’s evident everyone is well coached and well taught. In fact, every group showed a sky-high level of professionalism. And I can’t say enough about all the volunteers whose help added up to an unforgettable experience.”