It is not too late to register your float for the 19th annual Lighted Holiday Parade in Merrill. The parade is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 5 at 5 p.m. This high-spirited parade is a community event and is open to all businesses, clubs, schools, church groups, choirs and organizations. The parade has no theme other than all the entries must be holiday/Christmas related and they must light up.

Besides the holiday parade there is so much more happening in Merrill on Dec. 5. It’s Customer Appreciation Day so start your day off shopping downtown Merrill and celebrate the holiday season by entering the "Shop Merrill First & Have a Very MERRILL Christmas" promotion. Just shop at Merrill retail locations on Dec. 5 (only) and then submit your cash register receipts to the Chamber of Commerce by Monday, Dec. 7 or at Courtside Furniture on Dec. 5 for a chance to win $100 in Merrill Gift Certificate Bucks. Three gift certificate/bucks will be given away in a drawing at Noon on Dec. 8. This holiday promotion was made possible through sponsorships from M&I Bank, Merrill Federal Savings, and River Valley Bank.

While you are shopping the retail districts music of the season will fill the air on Main Street. Members of the high school band and choral groups will be wandering the streets and retail stores playing and singing songs of the holiday season making your local shopping experience in Merrill very jolly. And because it is Customer Appreciation Day many retailers will have special deals for the day and goodies for all the holiday shoppers. The "Music on Main Street" is sponsored by Courtside Furniture and Merrill Ace Hardware.

To make your holiday shopping even easier, the Merrill Police Department has caught the holiday spirit too. Beginning Nov. 23 through Dec. 31 the department will not be enforcing the posted parking time restrictions between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. in Merrill’s business districts. However, the Police Department will enforce the parking restrictions between the hours of 6 a.m. and 8 a.m. Vehicles that are parked during this time and found in violation will be ticketed. In the spirit of the holiday season, the police department is hoping that this will encourage people to Shop Merrill First. And since we are speaking of the police department, while watching the parade make sure to bring any non-perishable foods along. Off-duty police and firefighters will be walking the parade route collecting the items for the food pantry.