The Jaffrey Park Theatre’s lobby was alive Saturday with a recognizable Christmas tune – “Jingle Bells.”

But rather than being sung by a chorus of voices, or backed by orchestral instruments, the song was being buzzed out in a chorus of a dozen kazoos.

Part of The Park Theatre’s Dickens Fest, the Kazoo Choir was formed last year by a collection of local Scouting groups. The event returned this year for a rousing encore. While the choir was again intended to be made up of Girl Scouts and Scouting America members, the children were unable to make it.

However, the choir went on, playing a medley of songs with about a dozen people that came through the doors and were given a kazoo.

That, said organizer Sue Shaw-Sarles, is one of the beauties of the event.

“As part of The Park Theatre’s Dickens Fest, there was a brainstorming of ideas on how to bring the community together. And everybody can play kazoo,” Shaw-Sarles said.

Between songs, the group would pause to answer holiday-themed questions, such as their favorite Christmas move (“Elf,” “The Polar Express,” the original “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” short, “Home Alone 2” and “Die Hard”) and favorite Christmas traditions such as making eggnog with a kick, hours of board games, holiday plays that sometimes included stealing the good bedroom curtains for costumes and holiday frappes.

“At first, we weren’t sure who was going to show up today, but it ended up being a wonderful experience to be in a more-intimate group and share both holiday thoughts and memories, in addition to having fun being silly with kazoos,” said Shaw-Sarles. “I think we all need that at the holiday season.”

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.