SPENCER — As the Spencer Holiday Caravan makes its return debut Wednesday night, it will be lead by a grand marshal that just about everyone knows.

Wayne Comer has been a fixture in Spencer forever, it seems, especially if you ask the co-chairs of the Spencer parade committee, Lynn Purvis and Heather Rosino, who wanted someone with longevity in the community to help capture the “hometown feel of the parade,” said Purvis.

And if one considers that Comer, a corporal, has served with the Spencer police department for 32 years, and he has been a firefighter with the Spencer fire department for 21 years, he does carry that longevity.

“I was excited to see the parade committee selected him as the grand marshal of our first nighttime Christmas parade,” said Police Chief Michael File. “Corporal Comer has dedicated nearly three-fourths of his career to the town of Spencer, and is certainly a just recipient of this honor.”

“He has tremendous dedication to the town,” said Purvis. “He’s the only one within both departments who has stuck it out through all the changes we’ve been through. And he has received numerous recognitions,” including being named the Jaycees Outstanding Public Servant in both 2007 and 2022.

“Almost everyone knows, loves and respects him,” said Rosino, including her children, who love it when “Uncle Wayne” joins them for lunch at the elementary school. Rosino says his nickname is Pineapple, because he was born in Hawaii, and it has become a term of endearment.

“He is a living legend,” said Purvis, “and we wanted to recognize him for all he has done for the community, all he continues to do.”

Comer will be No. 11 among 64 entries in the parade, including seven bands and three queens.

The Holiday Caravan was kicked off in 1952 by the Spencer Jaycees, and history has it that parade consisted of three participants: a police car, a fire truck carrying Miss Merry Christmas and the Spencer High School band. Initially, this year there were 53 entries, but in the last month, others have come forward and asked to join, and those on the parade committee allowed a little leeway.

“We aren’t having any dinosaurs or animals or planes fly over,” said Purvis. “We want it to just feel like a hometown parade” where everyone can feel connected. Food trucks will be available as well as special offerings from local restaurants, and there will be designated parking. The parade will step off at 6:30 p.m. and travel down Salisbury Avenue in front of the town hall and Transportation Museum.