LEBANON, Ohio – Lebanon is known for its quaintness and charm. This small and historic city in southwest Ohio has a population of just 21,000. For 364 days a year, it’s very quiet.

But much like Dr. Seuss’s fictional town of Whoville, this small city magically transforms into a holiday wonderland during its Horse-Drawn Carriage Parade, which is the first Saturday in December. 

Roughly 70 carriages participated this year, all of them pulled by equines. And not just carriages. The entire city gets into the holiday spirit with entertainment, wagon rides, a living nativity, a craft and food fair, visits with Santa, and happenings at the library and local churches. This tradition has been going on for 36 years. This year’s parade saw cloudy skies and a 25-degree wind chill.

Pat South was the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce president when the idea for a parade came up in 1988.

“We wanted to establish some holiday events in beautiful downtown Lebanon to showcase the businesses around town and to entertain,” South said. “In 1988, we had a trial run of this idea of horse-drawn carriages. We maybe had just eight horses and carriages that first year. The next year, we decided that we had hit on something and had our first official parade. We wanted it to be all horse-drawn carriages. We didn’t want any other types of entries. We had 15 or 20 units that second year and a crowd of about 15,000.

“The next few years, the spectator attendance climbed by 10,000 or more each year, and then by 1992 it jumped to 100,000. By this time, our parade entries had climbed to nearly 40 and it just continued from there. The town picked up the theme of decorating with miniature white lights downtown, so at nightfall, it looked like glittery stars and glistening icicles. It was an instant success.”

Since 2000, the parade has held the title of largest horse-drawn carriage parade in the United States, a distinction awarded by the U.S. Carriage Association.

The parade features all sizes and breeds of equines, ranging from draft horses to minis, as well as donkeys and mules, and standardbreds, all pulling a wide array of horse-drawn conveyances. Rigs in the parade pass a pre-parade safety check and are accompanied by grooms walking alongside.

“We have a rich history of harness horses at the Warren County Fairgrounds, and through their cooperation and contacts, the parade grew in popularity,” said Janis Baker, executive director of the Lebanon Area Chamber of Commerce. “Each year it brings together thousands of residents and visitors to celebrate the holiday season. It’s become a beloved tradition here in our community.

“The afternoon parade allows spectators to fully appreciate the intricate details of the carriages and horses. As evening descends, the atmosphere transforms with a stunning display of lighted carriages and horses, creating a magical spectacle.”

The event includes 13 organizers who work in the area of hospitality, reserved box seating, VIP parking and entertainment. Under those organizers are roughly 70 volunteers per parade who staff 43 locations covering 20 city blocks.

Long-time volunteer Georgetta Vice has been part of the parade for 32 years.

“A life-long love of horses brought me to the parade, and I have always loved the city of Lebanon,” Vice said. “It takes a village to put this event together. We have a lot of fun delivering a beautiful parade.”

Carriages participating (as well as those visitors on the sidelines) at this year’s parade were from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Missouri.

Tom and Gale Simpson and their two children live near Dawson Springs in western Kentucky. That city held its Old Fashioned Horse Drawn Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting on Nov. 23.

“My sister, Rita, lives in Morrow, Ohio just outside of Lebanon,” Gale said. “Rita and her family attend our horse-drawn parade each year so we drove to Lebanon to catch both of their parades. Both are fabulous and neither are just another parade. The wonderful experience lingers long after the horses have trotted home. There’s something magical about the events.”

The Lebanon parade is an annual ritual for Aaron and Lisa Scott, of Lima, Ohio. Their children are now grown, but the Scotts still make the 100-mile drive to take in the afternoon parade.

“There’s something timeless about the sound of jingling bells, the rhythmic clop of hooves against brick streets and the sight of horses draped in ribbons and holly,” Lisa said. “The lanterns on the carriages glowing and the laughter of children are things you never forget.”