Sunday, December 14, 2014

Parker Christmas Carriage Parade 2014


If it's the second Saturday in December,
then it's time for one of my favorite holiday traditions:
the Parker Christmas Carriage Parade.






The Town of Parker and the Colorado Driving Society
present the parade annually,
and the theme for this year was "Let It Snow."

Fortunately, it didn't snow,
and the weather was mild,
which meant for an enjoyable time
for the parade watchers lining the streets.







What makes this parade special
is that it is an all-equestrian event
with participants from all across Colorado.








And of course there is music!







And Rodeo Queens!







The parade has horse-drawn carriages, 
wagons, surreys, and stagecoaches,
as well as riders and beautiful horses.











































Parker's high school marching bands
are always a crowd favorite.

















     














































































































Santa and Mrs. Claus are always crowd pleasers






















Following the parade there are lots of other things to enjoy,
including a farmer's market, a petting zoo,
pony rides, ice sculpting, visits with Santa,
and festive shops and restaurants in the town.


 






Thanks to all the special people 
who contribute their time and energy
to make this holiday event a great success.

39 comments:

  1. Oh Wow!! what amazing pictures and a lovely Parade! I would have loved it.. all those horses. they all looked great - thanks for sharing and I'm glad the weather was MILD :)
    Have a great day Fundy x

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    1. Thanks for your kind comment, Dawna! I'm scared to death of horses, but I can't resist this parade. They are surely the most beautiful of animals! Take care!

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  2. Ooh, what a wonderful parade! And you are a super photographer. Thanks for all the great pictures so I could share the festivities with you. I'm a horse lover and there are some of the most beautiful horses there. What a great day you had. I love the picture of the carol ears dressed in period costume. How lucky you are to have this nearby!

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  3. Carol ear? I hate autocorrect Carolers.

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  4. Horses and music -- it doesn't get any better than that! And OMG, were those girls with the flags marching in BARE FEET? Crazy.

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    1. You're right, Debra! It doesn't get better than that. The girls actually had skin-colored footsies of some sort on ~ neither warm or supportive. Crazy is right!

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  5. That sure does look like a fun parade. That great dane could fit in with the horses as it's big enough lol

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    1. Hey Pat! I think it is so fun that they put large dogs in the parade with mini horses. The parade-watching kiddos really like the combination. Have a good one!

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  6. What a lovely procession! I love all the horses, and the outfits are beautiful. Living in the Great White North, (Montreal, Canada), it is so strange for me to see a Christmas Parade without any snow! We got a lot of snow over a few days last week, so it is nice and white here. Thank you so much for sharing this great event!

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    1. Thanks, Linda! We didn't have snow then, but we have it now! And COLD ~ -16 Fº last night! Burrr! I'm still trying to warm up! Take care!

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  7. Absolutely fabulous! What fun. I love parades. And I especially love all the horses in this one. What a wonderful time this must have been.

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    1. It was a wonderful time, Martha! I'm a big parade lover too! And how I love the hoses, especially the big draft ones. I have a friend who loves her fiery Arabians, but I'll take a big, gentle giant any day!

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    1. Thanks, Alex! I look forward to this parade every year. Attending it makes me feel very much a Coloradan!

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  9. great pictures of the parade

    seems the past couple of years, I always seem to be working the day of the christmas parade

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    1. Thans, Adam! Happy New Year to you and Daisy and your loved ones!

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  10. Great pictures Fundy - I love the horses! Hugs Barb

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    1. Hugs, Barb! Wish you could have been with me ~ but then you get all those gorgeous animals at the Stampede Parade!

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  11. WOW! What a post!
    Fantastic photos here Fundy, I think you must have had a ball!!
    What lovely costumes especially in the last pic!
    And dogs were part of it too! I hope this goes on every year for ever!!
    Thank you for sharing this with us! :)
    Your comment about my polecat really made me laugh! You always have a great way with words!!!
    Too bad your bro won't read your comment......... Hahaha!!
    Keep well!

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    1. Sorry for the late reply, Noushka. Unfortunately I didn't keep well! But I'm feeling much better now! The Parker Parade is an annual event, and as long as I live in the area, I plan to be there taking pictures of all the fun! Take care, my friend!

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  12. Hello, greetings and good wishes.

    Lovely photos and interesting information on the parade.

    Best wishes

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    1. Thank you for your kind comment, Joseph! My apologies for such a late reply, but I've been down and out with a bad cold. Beat wishes to you and yours for a happy new year!

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  13. Wonderful pictures. Those back horses are so beautiful. How's life?

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    1. Thank you, BG! I love the black horses the most! They are such beautiful creatures. Life is good now that I've recovered from a hunkered in cold. All the best to you in 2015!

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  14. That looks like such a fun time. There was a photo featuring a dog and a pony - the dog looked huuuuge next to that pony (though of course the pony was some distance behind it ;) ).

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    1. Thanks Trishia! The big Newfoundlander dog and the mini pony have appeared together in the parade for a few years now. They're very popular with the crowds, especially the children. Happy New Year!

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  15. The horses and dogs are beauties. Your photos are great.

    Love,
    Janie

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    1. Thanks, Janie! I hope that you had a lovely Christmas, and best wishes for a happy 2015! Now that I'm on the mend from a nasty cold, I'm looking forward to visiting everyone's blogs. Take care!

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  16. So much here that relates to present and past lives of mine. Taught high school band and played trombone (and later, euphonium) in the Chester Brass Band (Nova Scotia) and remember the fun of manoeuvring through the streets, shortening steps when on the inside and lengthening like crazy on the outside. Had to be at the front of the line when marching (cause of the slide), where i wasn't very comfortable since trombones are normally well back in traditional seating. Then, the horses and dogs and kids.. and happy faces.. a post just chock full of Christmas fun. Thanks, FundyBlue!

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    1. You're so welcome, Carol! Thanks for sharing your band memories. Chester is such a beautiful place in Nova Scotia! I never played in any band in a parade. I was usually carrying a flag during my Girl Guide days. Happy New Year to you, Bill, and sweet little Black Jack!

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  17. Looks like a lot of fun! And the weather looks like it was perfect! Love seeing all the horses. Merry Christmas!

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    1. A belated Merry Christmas, Michelle! And (a more timely) Happy New Year! I love seeing th horses in this parade every Christmas!

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  18. This looks like a wonderful holiday tradition. The parade and sense of community are awesome! Gotta love those horses and dogs. The carolers are pretty cool too, and I'll be kids of all ages enjoy the petting zoo! Merry Christmas!

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    1. Thank you MJJ ~ Sorry for my late reply. I was under the weather in the past few weeks. I took so many pictures at the petting zoo, you'd think I had a bunch of kiddos in the pen who were mine! Happy New Year!

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  19. Sure looks like a segregated town! Not a black or Asian face in sight.

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    1. Hi David ~ sorry for the late reply ~ downed by a nasty bug. Parker is in Douglas County, which is a one of the wealthier counties in the USA. Ranching people are mostly white, and this parade celebrated the ranching community from all across the state. My apologies ~ there were black spectators and participants, but the lighting was so weird that I didn't get any good shots. There was one photo I had of a group of riding sheriffs, and I tried really hard to bring out the features of the black officer, but eventually I gave up. Next year I'll try harder! Happy New Year. I'm looking forward to getting back to your blog!

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  20. Louise, I am starting to look forward to this annual parade. It always amazes me as to the number of horses and all the people!!
    Great photos. Thanks for doing this.



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    1. You are so sweet, Jim! I do love this parade! No Wells Fargo stagecoach this year though! :( You know riding on that stagecoach is on my bucket list! Happy New Year, my friend!

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Thank you for your comments! I appreciate them very much.