By tradition, the residents of Concord kick off the holiday season the Saturday before Thanksgiving with the annual Concord Christmas Parade.
The Nov. 21 parade made its way from the N.H. Department of Transportation parking lot, along Loudon Road, crossed Pembroke Road and ended at the Concord Business Center.
This year’s grand marshal is Liberty, the Concord Police Department’s comfort dog. Liberty’s role is to comfort trauma victims in the field or the police station, as well as to maintain morale for officers and the families who may be facing difficulties. She is not a traditional police dog that tracks suspects or locates drugs.
The parade was livestreamed on thegranitechannel.com.
The day also marks the opening of the Bektash Shriners Feztival of Trees, where people can bid on dozens of gift-ladden decorated trees. That event this year will be held online.
Festivities will continue on Friday with the lighting of the Christmas Tree in City Plaza on North Main Street at 6 p.m. The event will feature live music, a petting zoo, a Santa sighting and fireworks.