November 26, 2012 | 
Author December 2012 Holiday Parades – Horse Riding Opportunities
The Holiday Season is upon us, and along with the Holidays come holiday parades. Tracy Matern has put together a list of the Parade details for the 2012 season. There are often multiple cities having parades the same day (and sometimes at the same time). The parades likely to have higher participation from TTPA members are flagged with red stars.
Tracy also offers a couple of tips:
We decorate with Christmas garlands and bows and with battery operated lights for the night parades. The rule we enforce the most is “Please do not speed up to go back to your trailers after the parade…no trotting, cantering, etc. as this has resulted in accidents and injuries in the past.”
Save some “Parade energy” for the Fort Worth Stock Show Parade on January 19th. It is the largest all-equine parade in the world.
Also take a look at the Parade Riding Tips on the Trinity Trails Blog site.
Please let Tracy know if you plan to attend any of these by email at bobtracy@dfwair.net or via home phone at 214-495-7493 or cell phone 214-392-2288.
We will need a utility vehicle or golf cart (or the Gator) to pick up poop for some of these parades. If you (or perhaps a non-riding spouse) would like to volunteer to help out, please coordinate with Tracy. This is a two person job: one to drive, and one to scoop, preferably with trade-outs.
Pooper Scooper requirements are indicated under the parades that require it (so far Melissa, Wylie and Allen). Last year, Brian Collins of McKinney Stables and a friend were a huge hit with the crowd. Brian drove a golf cart and his friend scooped the poop on the fly with a shovel and placed in a muck bucket in the back. They weaved in and out of the different horse groups and seemed to be having a great time. We can borrow the TTPA gator but we need a couple of volunteers to drive it.
Uniform: TTPA T-Shirt or Sweatshirt; black pants, black hat. Black pants and a solid red shirt will work in a pinch.
Decorations will be available for the horses including parade blanket covers but you can bring red bows, Christmas Garlands for around the breast collar and saddle, and battery operated lights for the night parades.
Please make sure your horse is ready for all the sights and sounds of a parade. Some of them are intense.
**The parades we are targeting for TTPA.
Saturday, December 1
Rockwall Judging 8 AM Start 9 AM
Theme: “Through the Eyes of a Child”
$20 & Registration Form-can register and pay on-line by Nov 19th
For late registration, call 972-722-6001
Contact: 972-722-6001
Route: Old Downtown Square behind Courthouse
www.rockwallkiwanis.org
Start at Caruth; goes south on Goliad to the square
People have told me this parade is becoming less and less horse friendly and therefore less safe.
**Melissa Line Up 9:30 Start 10 AM
Theme: “Christmas Melodies”
$5 Entry Fee & Entry Form by 11/29/12
Must have “pooper scooper vehicle”
We need two banner carriers. We have a new banner that is smaller and easier to carry.
We need someone to pickup and transport the TTPA Gator and trailer and one person to drive it and one person to poop scoop as you go along.
Whitewright Line Up 8:30-9:30 AM Judging: 9:30-10:00 AM Start 10 AM
Theme: Ribbons, Bells & Bows
Contact: Cathy Pierce at the Whitewright Chamber of Commerce
www.whitewright.org
chamber@whitewright.org
903-364-2000
Staging: American Legion Hall
Route: North up Bond and West on Grand
Josephine Staging: 10-11 AM Start Noon
Contact: Police Chief Daniel Jacobs – 214-229-8901
**Van Alstyne Start 2 PM
Theme: “An Old Fashioned Hometown Christmas”
Info-903-482-6066
**Wylie Staging begins 3:30 PM Judging 4:45 PM Start 5:30 PM
Theme: Festival of Light
Contact: First Baptist Church of Wylie
Debra Tobolka, Administrator to Missions Pastor
Phone 972-442-2261
Fax 972-442-6154
Action Item: Called re staging as last year was difficult.
We need someone to pickup and transport the TTPA Gator and trailer and one person to drive it and one person to poop scoop as you go along. Shovel, broom and muck bucket will be provided.
Need two banner carriers. We have a new banner that is smaller
Sunday, December 2
**Allen Staging begins at 11 AM.
Line Up 1:30 PM
Start 2 PM
Theme: “A Season of Giving”
I plan to be there at noon. Bring a lunch and decorate with us.
Send registration form and $50 11/26/12
Staging for horses is in the gravel parking lot on the right hand side of the intersection of Cedar and Rivercrest. Enter the area from Exchange Parkway and turn south on Cedar Street.
We need someone to pickup and transport the TTPA Gator and trailer and one person to drive it and one person to poop scoop as you go along. Shovel, broom and muck bucket will be provided.
Need two banner carriers. We have a new banner that is smaller and easier to carry.
Call Bryan Collins at 214-244-7777 the day after Thanksgiving
December 6 (Thursday)
Denison Start 6 PM Line Up 5 PM
Contact: Denison Area Chamber of Commerce
www.denisontexas.us
Phone: 903-465-1551
Fax: 903-465-8443
Entry Form
Staging: On Crawford Street
After registering, they will send us a line up position
No entry fee; cash prizes
Saturday, December 8
** Anna Start Noon
Line up info will be sent to me a week before
I plan to get there at 10 AM
Theme: “Where the Magic Begins”
Staging is usually in the Anna High School southside parking lot on Hwy 5
Confirm: Info: Sara Cox 972-924-8533 or
sara@greaterannachamber.com
Flower Mound Start 10 AM
Route: From Eaton Drive to Marcus HS
Staging: Doublecheck….Marcus High School, 5707 Morris Road
Registration form due________________; no fee; non-cash prizes
After registration form is received, they will send additional information the first week of December
Doublecheck: Contact: Kimberly Cheek at the Town of Flower Mound
Phone: 972-874-6276
KIMBERLY.CHEEK@FLOWER-MOUND.COM
Fax; 972-874-6471
Horses are allowed, but none have signed up for 2012 as of 26 November.
**Royce City Staging & Check-In 4-5 PM, Start 6:30 PM
Theme “Texas Christmas on Main Street”
Staging is …….call last year was on Front Street
Contact: Royse City Chamber of Commerce
972-636-5000
Parade questions to georgiapeachatthebeach@gmail.com
Send registration form to address on form by 12/01/12
**Farmersville Line up begins 4:45 PM Start 6:30 PM
Theme: “Frosty Flakes of Farmersville Fun”
Contact: Farmersville Chamber of Commerce
Phone 972-782-6533
Fax 972-782-6603
Email to l.eastman@ci.farmersville.tx.us
Staging by the old cotton mill
Blue Ridge Staging 6 Pm Start 7 PM
Staging at Blue Ridge High School, Business 78 and CR 504
Theme “————————————-”
Contact: Tanya, City of Blue Ridge 972-752-5791
Saturday, January 19
**Fort Worth Fat Stock Show Parade Start 11 AM
Contact: 817-877-2410
Registration and releases due by 12.31.12
It’s Time for the Annual TTPA Holiday Party
Come join the fun with your friends and family at the annual Trinity Trail Preservation Association Holiday Party. The response to last year’s party at Outback Restaurant was so positive we have elected to have the party there again.
The party is an event for all of us who enjoy the trail so much to come together and get to know each other better. The TTPA will also be presenting awards to some of our dedicated members and local businesses who contributed so generously this past year. You will also be able to renew your membership at the party.
After the awards presentations and dinner, we’ll be doing our ever-popular Cowboy Gift Exchange, so make your plans accordingly.
We hope to see you there.
When: Friday 7 December 2012 at 7 PM
Where: Outback Steak House, Plano, TX
1509 N. Central Expressway (off the Southbound access road)
NW Corner of 15th Street and US-75 ( Link to Map )
(972) 516-4100 Restaurant Phone Number
Meal Cost – $16 per person, this will pay for each person’s meal
Menu: You can choose from:
- Grilled Chicken,
- 6 oz Sirloin Steak, or
- Woodfire Grilled Salmon
plus sides. Although we ask you to tell us in your RSVP what your choice is, the restaurant will take your actual order when you arrive, so you can change your mind between now and then.
Cowboy Gift Exchange: Please bring a horse themed gift with a value between $15-$20 for the gift exchange. This event is always a favorite at the party.
RSVP – Very Important!: We would like to be able to give the restaurant a head count. Please confirm your attendance and initial food choice by using our online RSVP form or call Duanna Hanners at (469) 774-6773.
Time to tackle the Collin Park stretch of the trail
When: Saturday, November 10
Time: 9 am
Where: Collin Park in St. Paul <<<<< NOTE NEW STARTING LOCATION
We will meet at 9am at the entrance gate to Collin Park. We’ll walk to the worksites (by the picnic table and on the trail behind their workshop). There’s a large tree to completely fell, and cut up and lots of trimming, clearing, and picking up on the trail through Collin Park.
We’ll need chainsaws, loppers, weed-whackers, and trash bags.
Halloween is here!
(OK, Halloween is actually on October 31, but we’re doing ours on October 27!)
Join us on October 27 for our Halloween Costume Contest and Lucas Founders Day Parade.
When: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Where: Lucas Town Hall
Time: Arrive at 9am, TTPA Judging starts at 10am, Parade starts at noon
Parking for horse trailers is behind the Town Hall. When you arrive, check in with Duanna Hanners, TTPA Head Costume Judge to enter your names and category. We’ll definitely be doing a Youth category and Adult category, and then there is the Judge’s Choice category!!
Join fellow members after the parade for lunch and socializing, lunch served by the Town.
Just in case TTPA needs to cancel the ride, please check the web site before you haul.
Help! Trinity Trail Needs Strong Backs!
When: Saturday, October 6
Time: 9 am
Where: Brockdale Park Trailhead in Lucas
We will meet at 9am at the Brockdale Park Trailhead. Plans are to spread rock fill around the Brockdale toilet building to fill in the erosion and sinkage.
Make sure you bring a shovel (and wheelbarrow if you have one), we’ll provide the rock!
Help! Trinity Trail Needs You!
When: Saturday, September 8
Time: 8 am (to beat the heat)
Where: Brockdale Park Trailhead in Lucas
We will meet at 8am at the Brockdale Park Trailhead. Plans are to work from the Brockdale Park Trailhead, Highland Park Trailhead, and other access points in between to:
- pick up trash
- trim branches south from the Highland Park trailhead to the White Rock Creek, especially the cedars encroaching on the trail.
- trim branches north and south from both trailheads
- trim and clean storm debris along the Sycamore Loop
- work on smoothing the trail along washout damage south of Brockdale Park
Make sure you bring water, a hat, appropriate clothing, and perhaps sunscreen – summer is still upon us.
Bringing along a few wheelbarrows and shovels would be appreciated for earth moving.
Call Charlie at 972-824-3369, if you are coming and/or if you can bring a tractor and bush hog. Please help if you can.
Fall is back!
(OK, Fall actually starts on 22 September, but it sure feels like Fall already!)
Join us on September 22 for our Early Fall Ride and Lunch.
When: Saturday, September 22, 2012
Where: Brockdale Park Trailhead
Time: Arrive at 8:30am, Ride out at 9am
Lunch is being prepared by Kurt and Shelly Van Doran, so please RSVP to lanagilstrap@sbcglobal.net for a headcount. A minimum $5 donation for lunch will be appreciated
Don’t forget your Coggins!
Bring a chair and join fellow members after the ride for lunch.
Just in case TTPA needs to cancel the ride, please check the web site before you haul.
The trail north of Highland Park trailhead was closed, as NTMWD cleaned up a major sewer line break, but is now open. It should be dry by now.
Help! Trinity Trail Needs You!
When: Saturday, August 4
Time: 8 am (to beat the heat)
Where: Highland Park Trailhead in Lucas
We will meet at 8am at the Highland Park Trailhead. Plans are to:
- Mow the trail south from the trailhead to the underpass
- pick up trash
- trim branches south from the trailhead to the underpass, especially the cedars encroaching on the trail.
Make sure you bring water, a hat, appropriate clothing, and perhaps sunscreen – summer is upon us.
Call Charlie at 972-824-3369 or Duke Monson at 214-422-292, if you are coming and/or if you can bring a tractor and bush hog. Please help if you can.
Help! Trinity Trail Needs You!
When: Saturday, July 7
Time: 8 am (to beat the heat)
Where: Highland Park Trailhead in Lucas
We will meet at 8am at the Highland Park Trailhead. Plans are to:
- Mow and weedwhack the trailhead
- pick up trash
- trim branches, especially the cedars encroaching on the trail.
Make sure you bring water, a hat, appropriate clothing, and perhaps sunscreen – summer is upon us.
Call Charlie at 972-824-3369 if you are coming. Please help if you can.
