Cheery music and twinkling lights filled the air around blanket-wrapped onlookers, young, old and in-between, in downtown Manhattan on Friday night. In the spirit of the winter holiday season, students from various walks of Manhattan High clubs and group life participated in the Mayor’s Christmas Spirit of the Holidays Lighted Parade, which takes place annually on Poyntz Avenue.

MHS participants included choirs, Students Against Destructive Decisions and dancers from Bates Dance Studio.

Senior Alyssa Frey, SADD president, felt that walking in the parade with her fellow SADD members, dressed as reindeer, along with some students from Manhattan elementary schools, dressed as presents and trees, was not only a fun activity, but also helped make the club’s presence known in the Manhattan community.

“The purpose [of us walking in the parade] is just to get us out there working with the elementary kids some more and connect with them,” Frey said. “I love every bit of it — wearing the antlers and red noses, walking with the kids, waving and saying, ‘Happy holidays’ — it’s just a blast.”

Manhattan High choir members both participated in the actual parade, and sang in Aggieville’s Triangle Park afterward, for a huddled audience awaiting the arrival of Santa Claus.

According senior Haleigh Cross, a member of Manhattan High’s Chamber Choir, participating in the parade as part of the choir program is a chance to represent the school as a whole.

“My favorite part was singing in the triangle park and getting to see how many people would show up to watch,” Cross said. “Plus, there were donuts and hot chocolate being served afterward, as well. Overall, it was a great experience being able to represent Manhattan High School in the parade.”

Members of the community who showed up at the triangle park after the parade were there to witness the tree-lighting ceremony, but senior Justin Gittle, member of Pops and Chamber choirs, felt that the choirs’ caroling added to the spirit of the event and helped create a thoroughly enjoyable holiday atmosphere around the event.

“The crowd was really waiting for Santa, but they sounded like they really enjoyed the caroling,” Gittle said. “It was just cool to sing for them and be in the parade to represent MHS.”