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| Heroes & Horses |
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| Heroes & Horses Parade on November 7, 2014 |
It was 5:00 on a Friday evening. November 8, 2014 to be official...a crisp fall afternoon when the red maples were ablaze and the golden ginkgo trees were gently dropping their delicate fans near the bell tower in the heart of Rowan County.
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| Horse Parade for Veterans in Salisbury NC |
Most folks would be headed home from work at a time like this, ready to move full speed ahead into the weekend. But several folks in Downtown Salisbury, NC had something entirely different on the agenda.
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| Stacey Carter and Captain Jack |
They were preparing for the Heroes & Horses event to honor Rowan County veterans. Some families set up chairs. A veteran from the Marine Corps refused an offered ride from a police officer riding a go cart as he displayed a continued strong and dedicated spirit despite using a walker as he walked down Fisher Street to enjoy the event.
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| Rowan County Veterans Honor Guard |
The Rowan County Veterans Honor Guard was donning white gloves as they prepared to march proudly displaying the American, North Carolina, and MIA/POW flags. They say veterans have a special bond, an undying camaraderie for fellow veterans for life. This group goes beyond that in providing military rights at funerals as well.
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| Time to Visit Downtown Salisbury |
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| Heroes & Horses Parade in Rowan County |
The parade started at 5:30 on November 8, 2014. Spectators proudly placed hands over hearts and cheered as the color guard approached. I hope all of the veterans know how much they are appreciated!
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| Best of Show in Heroes & Horses Parade - Appaloosa & Paint Mix |
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| Honor Veterans in Salisbury NC |
My kids smiled as they heard Captain Jack, one of the horses in the parade, whinny to call folks to attention before the event. The equestrian participants in the Heroes & Horses event were quite festively decorated!
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| Heroes & Horses Parade on Fisher Street |
One carried a full sized American flag while small American flags peeked out from under saddles of others. Red and blue ribbons were woven and tied on manes and tails.
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| Horse Dressed Like a Unicorn |
My kids thought the "unicorn" horse was really cool, while one horse would have looked right at home at the Renaissance Festival. A few horses even pranced on sparkly hoofs!
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| Patriotic Horses with Lights |
A few horses were ready to ride off into the sunset as they carried lights in addition to riders on their backs. The parade continued for two blocks down Fisher Street to the parking lot across from the
Norvell Theatre.
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| Taking Care of Business at Heroes & Horses Parade |
Organizes were prepared for the dusk and impending darkness with large lights in the parking lot and small lights that lined Fisher Street as the horses would return back up the street at 7:00 p.m. They were also prepared for a few other things that go along with live animals.
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| Meet & Greet Horses & Their Owners at Heroes & Horses Event |
The National Anthem was sung and the honor guard sold raffle tickets for a quilt during the event. The horses lined up in a semi-cirlc and buckets were placed in front of each. I think the horses might have been a tad bit disappointed that the buckets were empty!
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| Downtown Salisbury Veterans Event |
Participants were given a map that included downtown Salisbury shops that had discounts and/or ribbons for the horses. Quite a few shops were open late that evening. We visited quite a few shops and were greeted by friendly shop owners who offered ribbons for the various prizes for voting on the horses, including gentlest, cutest, silliest, best mane & tail, bravest, most patriotic, and best in show.
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| Downtown Salisbury Shopping |
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| Shops Open Late in Downtown Salisbury NC |
Of course, my kids also made friends with some of the dogs that accompanied the shop owners, such as the two beautiful ones behind the counter in Critters Cards & Gifts. This event provided a great opportunity for us to check out some Christmas gift ideas while we were collecting ribbons to place in those empty buckets by the horses. I noticed Fine Frame Gallery featured a photo of the owner's relative who was in a rodeo and also a framed American flag. My kids thought the "Candy Man" was mighty cool in The Candy Shoppe, and they would have loved to have stayed much longer in Gueens Gifts and Curiosities!
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| See Beautiful Horses in Rowan County |
But we needed to get back to vote! We wanted all of the horses to win – they were all beautiful, amazing, and friendly. The horse owners let my kids pet each of the horses and many told us about their personalities and fun and interesting information about the animals. It was obvious that the horse owners had put a good deal of time and effort preparing for this event.
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| Fun Family Activities in Rowan County |
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| Fun November Activities in Rowan County |
My family actually knew a couple of the people participating in the event, like Stacey Carter, who offers
Heart Centered Horsemanship workshops and many equine programs. She works with a variety of populations and regularly whispers to horses...then listens for them to answer!
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| A Horse with Sparkly "Toenails"! |
Many thanks to the folks who helped to make this event possible. I thought it was a great idea and my family thoroughly enjoyed the parade, honoring our veterans, checking out the local shops, meeting the horse owners, and choosing their favorite horses for the contest.
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