This morning I sent Chris, special correspondent on assignment, to cover the Lawrence Old Fashioned Christmas parade. It is one of the few horse parades in the US and the only one in the Midwest. There were participants from as far away as Texas and South Dakota.
Staging for the parade begins at the fairgrounds where the horses and their riders all get lined up and then head downtown. Chris says he's pretty sure the real reason they meet there is so the horses can have time to catch up with each other on what's been going on since they last saw each other.
Once they were downtown, the Grand Marshall got things started. He takes his job seriously.
This guy is hoping to be the parade leader next year.
There were so many beautiful horses. And skilled riders.
This horse looked straight at Chris and said he'd pay $5 if Chris would take all the pink stuff off of him.
Spectators got there early for the prime front row seats.
All in all, Chris reported things went well and everyone had a good time.
Well okay, maybe these folks didn't have a good time. But someone had to do it.
All photos courtesy of Chris Mulvenon.
May I be the first to say THE BOY DONE GOOD with these brilliant pics? What a photo opportunity! The children are especially impressive. Great start to the winter.
Posted by: Chrissy | 12/02/2012 at 04:33 AM
This looks like a wonderful parade! Great photos.
Posted by: Annelibby.wordpress.com | 12/02/2012 at 07:41 AM
I think you live in a pretty cool place especially on the day this parade comes to town!
Posted by: Nancy from Fair Oaks, California | 12/02/2012 at 08:20 AM
The days of the home grown variety parade are long gone from one of the last "wild, wild west (Nevada) states. The parades they put on in LV are poorly attended. All of the "old west" attitude is gone. Maybe it's different up north around Reno, Elko, but down here in the southern part, it's a long gone tradition.
Glad Chris had the camera, great pics.
Posted by: Joan Clarke | 12/03/2012 at 05:01 PM
Both my parents went to KU but i never have visited lawrence, despite many many many trips to Wamego where they grew up. So glad i found your blog ( through your fab seester) so i can feel like i have a little slice of a town they always raved about. Someday i will get there. (I'm last surviving family member so nobody to visit in Kansas anymore but have so many fond memories).
Posted by: Susan | 12/03/2012 at 08:57 PM
Thank you for the lovely pics...I love a parade!
Posted by: Donna | 12/04/2012 at 06:51 PM
Thank you for the pictures! I was part of the colors unit in the front, it was fantastic to participate in something of this magnitude!
Posted by: Kasey | 12/06/2012 at 12:04 PM