TERRE HAUTE —
Ten-year-old Hallie Baker dressed in a bright red and green outfit as one of Santa’s elves, while her horse, “Girl,” wore green bell boots, Christmas garland and a candy-cane bow on her tail.
Baker and her family — as well as their horses — used a Christmas in July theme during their participation in the Fourth of July Frontier Day Parade in downtown Terre Haute.
The annual parade, now in its 66th year, is conducted by the Wabash Valley Horsemen’s Association.
Participants competed for several prizes that included “best hillbilly,” “most original costume” and “typical cowboy and cowgirl.”
Baker, a parade veteran, has been riding down Wabash Avenue since about age 1, her family said. She likes throwing candy to kids in the crowd and said “it’s fun winning plaques when the judges pick you.” She’s won several plaques in past years.
Baker’s grandmother, Jennifer Davidson, selected the Christmas in July theme, and several family members participated. Jennifer dressed as Mrs. Claus, while her husband, Chris, who rode a horse in the parade, was Santa.
Prior to the start of the parade, participants gathered at a staging area on Fourth Street along Indiana State University parking lots.
Hadley Newton, not yet age 2, prepared to ride in her first parade atop a miniature horse named Fat Albert. She received a new saddle for the occasion.
“She loves this stuff,” said Hadley’s dad, Colin. “She likes to ride,” said grandmother Cindy Durham.
Hadley’s mom, Megan Durham Newton, was the 2010 Frontier Gal and helped lead this year’s parade.
Also riding in the parade was Renetta Trissel of Hoosier Spots Appaloosa Ranch in Terre Haute. “We raise Appaloosas and we have a ministry there, Spotted Horse Ministries,” said Trissel, who wore pirate garb.
She rode with members of the Indiana Friesian Horse Association, and together they used a medieval theme. “We had a big Friesian festival at the ranch Sunday, Trissel explained.
Also riding a horse was Bailey Halloran, 12, who dressed as a cluster of grapes. She was a little afraid of the big horses, she said. It was her first time to ride in the parade.
Her mother, Patty Halloran, said she previously wore the grapes costume, made by her mom, about 30 years ago for a high school campus review.
Halloran’s other daughter, Payton, age 9, wore a pirate outfit initially worn by Patty Halloran’s father in 1930. Payton rode on horse Holly Berry, while Bailey rode a horse named Ellie May.
Among those watching the parade were Jana Akers of Paris Ill., her daughter Adlynn, age five months, and Akers’ cousin Shelby Hinkle, 10.
“We used to always come here with our family,” Jana Akers said. “This is Adlynn’s first parade. I just thought I should bring her so she can see what it’s like. She seems to like those horses.”
Also watching the parade was Jim Waugh, wife Lila and other family members. “That’s what we do on the Fourth of July morning, we come to the parade,” Waugh said.
Parade organizers worked hard this year to get more people involved as both participants and spectators, said Christina Durham-Muncy, chairwoman of the parade committee. “We’re trying to make it the way it used to be,” she said.
This year’s King of the Cowboys was Larry Sample, and the Frontier Gal was Deb Shahadey. Kenny and Sandy McMillin of Brazil served as honorary parade grand marshals.
Sue Loughlin can be reached at (812) 231-4235 or sue.loughlin@tribstar.com.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
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Frontier parade: A rider carries the American flag down Wabash Avenue during Monday morning's Frontier Parade.
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Cowgirl: Three-year-old Laney Query rides her horse during the parade down Wabash Avenue Monday morning.
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Not Christmas cookies: An Elf takes some evasive steps during Monday's Frontier Days parade in downtown Terre Haute.
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Veteran: World War II veteran, Max Fulmer of Terre Haute watches the parade down Wabash Avenue Monday morning. Fulmer is 92 years old.
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Parade people: Karen and Dale Whitlock of Terre Haute enjoy watching the horses parade down Wabash Avenue Monday morning.
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Posse: Sheriff's Posse member Larry Sample rides his horse along Wabash Avenue during Monday morning's parade.
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