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Horse and Carriage Parade set at WVSF

BUCKHANNON — On Saturday, it can’t be said that Buckhannon will be “a one-horse town.” In fact, one might say hundreds of horses!

The city will welcome horsemen from nine U.S. States as the 78th annual West Virginia Strawberry Festival get underway. The highlight of the first day will be the 3 p.m. Horse and Carriage Parade which winds down the 2.5 mile route in downtown Buckhannon.

Thousands of spectators are expected to line the streets anxiously anticipating individual horse riders, equestrian units, horse drill teams and carriages of a wide variety. Paradegoers will see covered wagons, stagecoaches, farm wagons and more. Of course, all will be pulled by horses of many colors and breeds. Fifty carriages are expected by Committee members. Carriages will represent the State of West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania Virginia and Maryland.

Drill Teams and Equestrian Units will be representing the States of Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Maryland, North Carolina and Georgia. Many riders will dressed in uniform and showcasing flags ranging from the American Flag to their own team’s trademarks. This year’s parade is sponsored by Mike Ross, Waco Oil and Gas and Mountain Lakes Insurance.

Close to $4,000 in cash will be awarded to parade winners which will have competed in a wide selection of categories.

The anticipation for Saturday’s big event begins on Friday evening with the Strawberry Festival Friday Concert at Jawbone Park in downtown Buckhannon. Hundreds are expected to enjoy local musician performances and strawberry food products and crafts of local vendors. Carriage rides will be available as well.

The streets of Buckhannon will fill with visitors early Saturday morning of parade day as local restaurants and eateries showcase their foods with samples available for the tasting of visitors. Live music will be performed on Main Street by several entertainers throughout the day. Carriage rides will also be offered for visitors.

At 11:30 a.m., the first Drill Team performance will be taking place at the arena on East Main Street across from the Bicentennial Motel. This show is provided by the Cherokee Stables “Standard Bred” Drill Team from Grove City, Ohio. At noon, performances are scheduled by exciting trick rider, Shadow Montag and the Mid America Cowgirls Rodeo Drill team from Three Oaks, Michigan, At 12:30 p.m. the Diamond D Rodeo Drill Team from Atlanta, Georgia will delight spectators. The shows are sponsored by Michael D. Miller, D.D.S of Buckhannon.

Following the parade, a special concert will take place in downtown Buckhannon. It will be a fun-filled, full day of activities for all. Parade goers are asked to leave pets at home to insure safety at the procession of horses.

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