As the holidays near, a casual group of friends, neighbors, and family members gathered at the Felton Post Office on Sunday, Dec. 21, to ride on horseback and sing Christmas carols for their second annual parade around the neighborhood.
The group’s organizer, Gale Wilson, attempted their first caroling extravaganza last year with a group of close friends known as the “The Horsie Girls.” Although they hadn’t had much practice or experience, they liked the community aspect and decided to return this year, accompanied by some new faces.
Wilson said her inspiration for the event came from the group of horseback riders, who wanted to bring the holiday spirit into the neighborhood.
“It was just a small group of us last year, and we had so much fun that we want to make it an event for the entire community,” Wilson said.
This year, there were postcards sent out to Felton’s community members inviting them to attend the “Second Annual Felton Horse and Dog Christmas Caroling.”
Members were asked to decorate themselves in holiday attire and add Christmas lights to their horses and dogs so families could see the animals in the nighttime darkness.
Two riders — Liza Riel and her daughter Laura Laighton — came down with their horses to participate in the holiday singing.
Reil participated in this event last year, and this year decided to bring her daughter.
“My favorite part about this event is bringing good cheer to the residents, and spreading the holiday joy,” she said.
As the group congregated by the post office, a group of three horseback riders gathered behind the truck. One of the riders, Jill Christenson, said that these events were not only about the singing, but about the people.
“This even is about the camaraderie, the friendship, and the bond with horses,” Christenson said.
The group a carolers spiced up their act, purchasing a piano on Craigslist, and finding themselves a pianist and a singer — Joe Haselton — who was happy to help spread the holiday songs and cheer.
The carolers had several rehearsals earlier in the week to prepare for their night of caroling, also selecting a safe route to encompass as much as the neighborhood as possible.
The group of horses, dogs, and neighbors paraded around behind Felton’s post office singing song like “Jingle Bells,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.”
The streets lit up with songs and Christmas lights, as the carolers walked around town enjoying the company of friends and family and enjoying the holiday season.
They plan to continue this event next year, bringing the community together for yet another year of song and holiday cheer.
