Target Thanksgiving Parade, the venerable Chicago tradition that kicks off
the holiday shopping season, is looking for horse units to join in the march
down State Street on Thanksgiving Day morning.
The lure for horsemen to give up a part of their holiday is exposure to
90 million television homes across America, according to Joy A. Meierhans, a
professional equestrian event producer who coordinates the equine division
for Chicago Festival Association.
“With step off at 8:30 a.m. from Congress, disband at Randolph is less
than a mile away...with everyone headed for home before noon,” Meierhans
said, “so it’s not like we give up the whole day.” (All horse units stage
and disband together along blocked-off, protected city streets.)
ABC’s Channel 7 in Chicago broadcasts live from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and
then rebroadcasts twice in December. Syndication takes the show national.
This is the 69th holiday parade in Chicago and the fourth consecutive on
Thanksgiving Day.
Parade organizers are inviting horse units of all types to participate.
In years past, equestrian units have ranged from mounted drill teams to draft
horses and wagons, from breed groups to rugged mountain men, Texas mules to
miniature horses -- many in holiday-theme costumes.
“We’re looking for units that will bring color and excitement to the
parade, Meierhans said. And every effort is made to locate close-in stabling
for units that come from a distance, she said. All horses must have parade
experience.
For information and applications for participation, call Joy Meierhans,
equestrian coordinator, at (630) 557-2575, or Joe Fonzino, Chicago Festival
Association, at (312) 781-5683. Deadline for application has been extended
until all equestrian unit slots have been filled.