Parade features 35 units

The fairgrounds are a bustling place the morning before the Sleigh and Cutter parade. Some 35 units, large and small, have registered to take part in this year’s event—a number which has planners and organizers more than satisfied. “It was a great turnout,” says Sleigh and Cutter planning committee member Ken Borgmann. “The largest number we’ve had in many years.”

Horse trailers, some as long as semi trailers, some no larger than would be needed to carry a few bicycles, are lined up in informal rows. By 10:30 a.m., though, the horses are all tethered to the outsides of their coaches, munching contentedly on bags of hay.

It is the humans who are hard at work just now. They have hauled along horse-drawn vehicles of many types, and are busy unloading them, brushing them off, or even assembling them. The parade units come in many colors and shapes, ranging from simple utilitarian to decked with flowers—fabric ones, of course, given the temperature.

Doug Grunzke of Wells is barely visible over the backs of Kelsey and Molly, a beautifully matched pair of red sorrel percheron mares aged 19 and 17. He is brushing energetically, the ground around him nearly carpeted with winter coat horse hair. His voice rich with emotion, he tells how the two are probably taking part in their last parade; the plan is to retire them to a farm in the Dakotas where their majestic size and calm demeanor will be helpful to veterans who, by interacting with them and helping care for them, will care for themselves as well.

Nearby, 5-year-old William Pittman is determinedly helping assemble a carriage to be drawn by black percherons Sammy and Eric. William is assisted by his father, Marc, and grandfather, Roger, neither of whom seem willing to move at his preferred pace.

Greg Barta of Warsaw wears an exotic black fur coat and hat. The coat, he says, is an heirloom  between 90 and 100 years old. He mentions having taken it to numerous furriers who, although not completely certain, believe it is probably made of fur from fishers, 6- to 8-pound members of the weasel family which tend to live in the northern part of the state. Not to be outdone, his quarter horse Belle stands nearby wearing a “saddle chime,” a system of shining gold-colored bells arranged to draw both the eye and ear. Barta says he had to choose from a whole collection of decorative chimes. “It’s nice to keep them polished and shining,” he says.

Not far away, four majestic Belgians are lined up ready to pull a large wagon dubbed “the barge” by Cindy Meyer, owner of Sharon Belgians and Cartway of Le Sueur. The horsemen here come across as downright professional—probably because they are. Sharon Belgians takes part in about 40 parades and similar events every year, with the Sleigh and Cutter typically being their first. They offer sleigh rides and other holiday outings as one of their busiest attractions; today’s parade, though, is just for them—although they expect to pick up a few passengers in their impressively sized, streetcar shaped wagon before leaving the fairgrounds.

In complete contrast, nearby are the white pony, Grim, and her companion donkey, Reaper, each rigged up to pull a two-wheeled, one-person vehicle. Neither of them is tall enough to reach even the waist of their owner Susan Lockling of Farmington, who jokes about having the “cutest ass” on the property. Lockling tells how she is loaning Reaper to friend Kerry Kindt, who has come all the way from Eagle River, Wisconsin, to take part. The two laugh and joke in anticipation of their shared adventure.

Also in contrast to the larger horses is “Edsel,” a spotted donkey who will be pulling his owner Heidi Sporre in her fourth Sleigh and Cutter parade. She rubs his ears affectionately, calls him “Eddie,” and assures him his name is based on fondness rather than fault-finding.

Near the main building, volunteers from the Law Enforcement Memorial Association saddle their elegant percherons and shine the caisson they have brought to carry on a wagon along the parade route. The only non-safety motorized vehicles in the parade allow spectators a look at the meticulously cared for unit which is available to carry the coffins of fallen law enforcement officers for their funerals. Preparing to ride their noble percheron mounts alongside are two volunteer law enforcement officers.

The stories abound, as does the obvious camaraderie born of their shared love for their draft animals, be they ponies, donkeys, mules or horses of any size. As departure time nears, some take their units out on the closed street for a quick warm-up round. Almost before anyone knows it, it’s time to start: the sheriff’s posses from Waseca, Carver, and Steele counties take their position and set off. Their route will take them along Sixth Street, then up to State Street, and back around to the fairgrounds, a circle which will require a bit over half an hour to complete.

Upon their return, the camaraderie will continue, since all participants and safety volunteers are invited to a hearty lunch catered by the Pheasant Café and served by volunteers from the Waseca Area Foundation. Their appetites satisfied, they are also eligible for various prizes and awards. In honor of the seventy-third parade, one randomly chosen participant wins $73. Four first-timers and one long-timer are recognized with a $50 prize, and 20 more randomly chosen winners take home $25.

“Since they’ve come so far and worked so hard to create some memories for us,” observes Borgmann, “We like to recognize the parade participants and give them some enjoyable memories of their own.

“The Sleigh and Cutter parade is a significant part of how we see ourselves as a community,” he continues, then goes on to assure that not only next year’s, the seventy-fourth, event is already being planned, but so is the year after, the seventy-fifth. “That’s a milestone year that we will be proud to have reached,” he comments. “As special as the celebration usually is, we’re looking to make the seventh-fifth year a real standout.”