Community Corner
Updated: Clifton's Holiday Horse Parade
Annual event has been a local treat since '77
On Saturday, the town of Clifton kicked off its Christmas festivities with its annual Holiday Horse Parade.
Sponsored by the Clifton Horse Society, the parade has been a highly anticipated feature of the season since 1977.
Horse trailers began arriving around noon, letting off their passengers at the Flood Plain and parking next to the Clifton Presbyterian Church.
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Sue England, horse owner, long-time resident of the area and CHS Quartermaster, showed amazing skill as a parking director as she guided the big rigs safely into their spaces.
While the riders began to decorate themselves and their horses, the crowds gathered. The spectators waited excitedly, lining both sides of Main Street.
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The procession, heralded by cheerful caroling, began promptly at 2 p.m.
Santa sat not on a sleigh, but on a throne, mounted on a flatbed trailer and pulled by a tractor. How appropriate in this community.
The horses and their riders were fabulous. Highlights included a tiny fairy princess on an adorable gray pony, an adult and her steed decked out like a Christmas tree, and a tall chestnut with a fluorescent green halter and bridle, patiently carrying a green-faced Grinch.
Santa Claus and the Holiday Horse Parade were accompanied by music and smiles as they wound their way down Main Street, Chapel Road and Clifton Road.
Keeping them safe from cars were Fairfax County Police officers. They followed the riders in patrol cruisers, stopped oncoming traffic and ushered the cavalcade to King Field, a hidden paradise behind the shops and houses on Main, where the decisions of judges Suzanne Clark and Carol Christoforatos were revealed.
The Hampton Horsefeathers 4-H Club, which meets in Fairfax Station, was represented by about 15 members. They stalwartly carried their rakes like badges of honor and cleaned up the road remarkable well.
While waiting for the announcement of the winners of the best costumes contest, the assembled crowd enjoyed eating and talking with old and new friends. Among the spectators were McKenna Nolan, a member of the Horsefeathers, and her mother, Kelly.
McKenna gazed at the contestants, hoping her pony will be ready for the parade in 2011.
Refreshments were organized and served by Nancy Bennett, who modestly described herself as a "chief food engineer for the Clifton Horse Society."
CHS member Mary Flowers busily assembled the judges' results, which were announced to great applause.
Results:
Best Carolers: Jeannie Jirucha, Jana Lee Sponberg, and Emmi Holmes
Best Santa Helpers: Annie Werthmann (age 6) and Jake Werthmann (age 10)
Best Happy New Year: Lora Riggins
Best Jingle Bells: Kate Howe (age 10)
Best Santa with Garland: Samantha Wallington (age 10)
Best Mrs. Santa: Joanne Patton
Best Grinch: DeNelda Niemiec
Best Three Kings: Elle Kime, Wilma Kime, Lauren Krohn
Best Candy Canes: Chloe Field and Midge Field (age 14)
Best Angel: Michelle Herrity (age 11)
Best Elf: Allison Scheel
Best Toy Soldier: Donna Scheel
Best Minnie Mouse: Laurie Armstrong
Best Christmas Tree: Jean Voss
Best Ornament: Jane Palmer
Cutest Bridle and Candy Cane Reins: Robin Ciapponi
As the crowd drifted away, it passed two Fairfax Station violinists, Cole Chutuape and Abigail Wojcik.
Their mothers, Jeanne Chutuape and Bianca Wojcik, explained that the young musicians were raising money for Haiti's continued relief. What an inspiring way to conclude the Clifton Horse Parade and dash into the holiday!
