When the Newton’s Christmas Parade rolls into town on Nov. 29, there’s a good chance it will have fewer horses than previous parades due to a change in policy.
The Newton Chamber of Commerce along with the Newton Board of Aldermen adopted new guidelines for the annual Christmas parade set much stricter rules for people who want showcase horses in the parade. Only professional organizations with professional show horses may register their horses in the parade, and each horse and organization is required to be pre-registered for the parade with the Newton Chamber of Commerce. Horses must be trailered to an agreed upon location and then walked to their place in the parade lineup.
A copy of the horse’s Coggins report must be presented to the chamber. Each horse must not be easily spooked by people, loud noises, etc., and another person must come behind the horses and scoop up any poop along the parade route.
Chamber director Emily Pugh said the reason the chamber board adopted the rules was prevent the organization from being liable if an accident occurred during the parade. She cited that there was a previous year an incident occurred with horses during the parade.
“We just want to make sure that the Christmas parade is a fun and safe event for everyone,” Pugh said. “This is one way we can help prevent any incidents from occurring by making sure that everyone in the parade and those watching the parade are safe.”
Alderman Eric McCalphia was the only “nay” vote with the Newton Board of Aldermen. He said the new regulation would just about remove any horse from the parade.
“It’s never been an issue before,” McCalphia said. “If we limit it to show horses, we’re probably eliminating just about everyone around here because we don’t have that many professional organizations in our area.”
While Pugh said she understood that concern, she said the board felt like it was the best decision to restrict horses during the parade, and it allowed a way for horses to be included in the parade after they were banned from the parade in 2017.
This year’s Christmas Parade is themed “Once Upon a Christmas” and is scheduled on Nov. 29th at 6 p.m.
