December 16, 2007 - Montevideo Community (Elberton), GA

It is known as "the smallest town with the largest parade in America". I've also heard it called the "redneck parade". But, Stephanie coaxed me into doing this parade. The parade route is about 3 miles long - it seemed longer. It was a very windy and cold day but we had a blast. When they said anybody can be in the parade as long as you can keep up, they are right! I think we trotted the entire time which was a lot of fun. We even played around by doing maneuvers with the carts. Stephanie made us all camoflauge Santa hats. The route went through rural residential areas and even a few wooded areas - it was almost like being out on a trail drive.

December 1, 2007 - Watkinsville , Georgia
"We Wish You a Merry Christmas" theme

We have always wanted to do the Watkinsville parade but it always falls on the same day as the Comer parade. Since we've done the Comer parade for three years in a row now, we decided this was the year to go to Watkinsville. We have really stepped up our game this year by adding plumes for the driving horses and arches to the back of the carts.

This was Bloom's first year as a cart horse. Sheila and Weldon rode in the cart and I led her - I wasn't sure I trusted Bloom enough to let Sheila drive her without assistance (but I have to say that Bloom did an excellent job!).

We also had the fun treat of a friend, Michelle and her family, coming from Mississippi to participate with us - we let Michelle drive Romeo. I told her if an 80 year old man could drive him (Comer 2005), surely she could. Mr. Boone drove a golf cart and ponyed Luna.

December 2006, Monroe, Georgia

This was our third time in the Monroe parade. It's always been a night parade for us and we almost didn't go this year because it was SO cold. But, Ms. Boone had decided she needed to drive Jammer and this was the only parade left for the year. She swore she was not cold at all - I think she had a great time and she kept Jammer trotting for most of the parade!

Jenna was feeling better so Zappy finally got to come and be in a parade. This was his first time to drive with us in a parade.

December 2006 - Comer, Georgia

We had lots of new faces this year with us - Stephanie, Katie, and Houdini and Pistol, plus we had Julia Reigtler come all the way from Waveland, Miss. to join the parade. We let her drive Jammer and I think her smile describes the fun she had. Jenna was going to drive Zappy but she got sick. Her husband and daughter came and carried the "Tiny Trotters" sign that Jenna had made for us.

Baroque was the new "candy elf" this year as Bloom was up north learning how to be a cart horse. Little Jack was also a new one to add but he was too little to even walk the parade route so we had to put him on a float!

December 2005, Hartwell, Georgia

This year for the first time, Hartwell decided to do a night parade. It was cold again, but we knew it would be so fun to do a night parade and Lorri wanted to ride in the cart again so of course, we did the parade. Lorri drove Jammer along with Richard's oldest, Sierra.

This was not our first night parade (we had done the Monroe parade at night), so we had our carts decorated with lights and had purchased generators to power them along the route.

December 2005, Comer, Georgia

What a fun parde this was. It was raining all morning and we were worried we would not be able to participate. But, right before the parade, the rain let up. Everything was soggy but we still had a good time.

This year, we decided Sheila should actually drive a mini in the parade (once again, she started this whole thing!) so she and her grandson drove Jammer. Deb joined us from Pennsylvania and drove Romeo.

The Belgium team (both mares and pregnant) were so gentle - We walked Romeo up to them and he was "talking" to them like "hey baby" - I don't even think they saw him down there in front of them.

Also, this year, we got my neighbor, Mr. Kinney (who is 80 years old) to drive Romeo! Mr. Kinney had never had any dealings with horses but he had a great time. Bloom was the "candy elf" horse again for the second year in a row (she's a yearling now).

December 2004, Hartwell, Georgia

This was a very special parade for two reasons. First, I grew up in Hartwell so it was great to "go home" and do the parade as an adult (I had participated many times as a teen in the band) and see many people that I knew. But, more importantly, I think it was special because my friend, Lorri Savage, rode with me in Jammer's cart. Lorri was diagnosed with Stage IV breast cancer in Sept and had undergone much treatment and didn't feel well much of the time but she wanted to ride in the parade. It was incredibly cold for this time of year in Georgia, but Lorri made her parents bring her out anyway. We bundled her up and off we went. She looked just like a beauty queen waving to her public.

December 2004, Comer Georgia

This was our very first Christmas parade. We decided to stay "local" with Comer only being 10 minutes from the house. We also knew we had to do the Comer Christmas parade since it was my sister, Sheila, who started this whole mini obsession and she lives in Comer.