Living a Childhood Dream

Back in 1960s when I was a boy in the Chicago suburb of LaGrange, the local Kiwanis Club sponsored an annual parade called the Pet Parade. The community event attracted regional attention, throngs of people and was televised by WGN Television. Every child and community group had the opportunity to participate. Occasionally, Mom convinced us kids to march in the parade and compete for ribbons. But, usually we just liked to go downtown, eat cotton candy and watch the horses in the Parade.

Living in the suburbs, horses were a real curiosity to me. They were large and strange; something that the famous cowboys on television road fast while chasing bad guys. As a family we enjoyed western TV shows like Bonanza and Mavrick. So, when we heard Little Joe (Michael Landon) and his horse were going to be the star celebrities in the Pet Parade, I gave up any thought of competing. I wanted to see him ride his horse in the parade.

When the day of the parade arrived, my brother Bob and I walked down town. Our plan was to watch Little Joe from in front of the Five and Dime then follow him in the parade to its end at the high school.

Finally, there he was! He was in a group of seven horses. His saddle was big and shiny with lots of silver that caught the sun. The star of Bonanza and his pinto pranced by to the applause of the crowd. We moved along with the parade all the way to the school. Bob wanted to meet Little Joe, but I wanted to get a close-up look at his horse.

The whole event left a lasting impression on me. Riding a fancy horse in a big parade became one of my unfulfilled childhood dreams. Then, nearly forty years later upon the arrival of the new millennium my child hood dream became a reality.

The Director of our city’s downtown improvement district called me in January and asked if my organization, the Historical Society, was going to have an entry in the community’s Independence Day Millennium Parade. Without even thinking I told him, “Yes, we will do something with horses”. He thought it was great. What he didn’t mention was the city expected the parade to have over 75 units and to be viewed by 30,000 spectators.

It was decided our Equestrian Unit would appear as Civil War Officers. The theme would promote our museum’s exhibit on the local boys who served in the War of the Rebellion. It took several months but Vanessa and I finally convinced five of out friends that it would be great fun to ride horses as Civil War Officers in the big 4th of July parade..

Looking in the old Civil War history books we found pictures of US Cavalry horses in full regalia. We needed blue material and gold ribbon to make our saddle blankets. It was an easy find at the local fabric store. When I signed the agreement renting the seven matching uniforms I got goose bumps. This was really going to happen!

You could not have asked for a more perfect day for a parade. There we were with our charges, dressed in our uniforms with matching saddle blankets ready to mount. I gave the command, ”Mount Up” and we walked in formation to the historic Ontario County Court House to await placement in the parade.

Standing and waiting behind the courthouse with our museum banner held by two lovely ladies in period garb we had all the pride, anticipation and fear of 19th Century comrades awaiting a charge into the enemy lines. Then, without notice a 120 member nationally renowned stadium drum and bugle corps passed by, stopped in front of us and began blaring Yankee Doodle Dandy while spinning large white flags. All of our pride turned to fear as the horses exhibited their flight instinct and turned and skittered down the asphalt drive. It was a good adrenaline rush but not a good start.

Immediately regrouping on the other side of the courthouse we adjusted our battle plan as the horses nervously removed turf from the manicured lawn. We all agreed, “Let’s keep the banner back away from that marching band so we don’t embarrass ourselves.” We returned in formation to our point of entry. Our plan gave us a new felt sense of confidence.

The practice retreat and new battle plan proved effective. In a state of heightened awareness our unit fell into place and followed our banner into the parade line. Taking up the rear on my prancing mount I snugged my two sets of reigns, tied them in a tight knot and prepared for the one-mile ride through the gauntlet of chaos.

I gripped the knot of reigns in my right hand and smiled. I became Michael Landon, waving my hat at the admiring crowd.

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