By Fred Hudson
(November 28, 2016) - The annual Christmas in
Middleburg Parade will take place Saturday, December 3rd, and, once again, the
Standardbred Retirement Foundation will be representing the harness racing
industry. Last year's parade brought out a record attendance of over 25,000
spectators that closed down the town of Middleburg, Virginia. Many of the
town's restaurants actually ran out of food. The parade starts at 2PM following
the Middleburg Hound and Hunt Review at 11AM.
The SRF's participation
in the Middleburg Christmas parade under the guidance of Judy Bokman and
Freddie Hudson is now in it's fourth year.
Hudson said; “When we
first started participating in the parade there were only about 10,000
spectators and then the following year it grew to around 15,000 and last year
it was totally unbelievable and unexpected with over 25,000 people showing
up”.
Joining the SRF along
with Hudson will be harness driver/trainer Mark Gray (with a sulky and horse),
riders Rachel Rhodes and Michelle Graham along with racing official Cheri
Collison.
Moira Fanning of the
Hambletonian Society has sent gifts and brochures to pass out to the spectators
and Allison Conte of the USTA has sent fan guides coloring books to also pass
out. Dr. Scott Woogen, President of Virginia Harness Horseman’s Association, is
working out the details of their participation.
This parade is a great
way for the harness racing community to showcase it's sport to a large,
influential crowd that, mostly, have no familiarity of or have never seen a
harness race. Many celebrities participate in the parade including NFL Hall of
Famers Sam Huff, Sonny Jergensen and John Riggins.
For more information
please contact Freddie Hudson 631-896-9838 or
email fhudsonscva@yahoo.com
