Sunday's horse parade will pass through Sylva, Dillsboro

By Lynn Hotaling

This year's event has been expanded to include a trip through Dillsboro, said parade organizers Maurice Moody and Cindy Allison.

One of several downtown events planned to celebrate Jackson County's 2001 sesquicentennial, last year's horse-and-buggy parade proved such a success that organizers decided to do it again, Moody said. Both the Jackson County commissioners and Sylva town board have backed this year's effort, he said.

Some 70 horses were part of last fall's parade, and this year's event should be even bigger, Moody said. Mules, wagons, buggies and all breeds of horses are welcome to participate, he said. No motorized entries will be accepted.

While there is no entry fee, participants are required to complete a registration form and sign a liability release, Moody said. Forms are available in advance at Sylva City Hall or can be filled out Sunday before the parade begins, he said.

Allison agreed that Sunday's parade is shaping up to be even bigger than last year's.

"I'm thrilled that we have people coming from as far away as Hendersonville and Shelbyville, Tenn.," said Allison. "We're hoping for more than 100 entries."

This year's organizers are hoping to turn the parade into an annual event, said Allison.

"It's very unique thing to have an all-equine event," she said.

Bill Crawford of Sylva will serve as the parade's grand marshal. He will ride in a buggy driven by Charles Cathey of Whittier. Carrying the colors will be the Hendersonville Mounted Patrol.

Other highlights will include a team of Belgian draft horses pulling a hitch wagon, Allison said.

Local dignitaries scheduled to ride include Moody, a member of the Sylva town board, and Jay Denton, chairman of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners.

Horses, mules, riders and wagon- or buggy-drivers will gather at the Community Service Center and line up at 2:30 p.m. for the 7-mile round trip through Sylva and Dillsboro. The parade is expected to pass through Sylva at 3 p.m. and arrive in Dillsboro at about 3:15 p.m., Moody said.

From the Community Service Center, horses and riders will continue down Scotts Creek Road to Skyland Drive then turn right onto Business 23. The parade will proceed down Main Street toward the old courthouse and continue to Haywood Road in Dillsboro.

The equestrians will turn left at the Jarrett House and parade up Dillsboro's Front Street before starting their return trip to the Community Service Center.

On the way back to Sylva the group will utilize some less-traveled roads in order to alleviate traffic concerns, said Allison, who worked with Sylva Police Chief Jeff Jamison on the route.

After leaving Dillsboro, horses and riders will turn onto Hometown Place Road, returning to West Main Street at Mark Watson Park. From there the parade will travel the wrong way down Mill Street, then take Railroad Avenue to Chipper Curve Road via Allen Street and Municipal Drive.

Allison expressed appreciation to Jamison for his help with the route and to Sylva and Dillsboro officials for hosting the parade.

"A round trip is so much better," she said.

For additional information about the parade, call Sylva City Hall at 586-2719.

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