Wagon Days! Scenes from The Big Hitch Parade

Looking down to Ketchum from the parade route

Hours before the parade, people found their spots, set up their chairs, left their picnic coolers, and then went down the hill into Ketchum to see friends, shop the sales, and participate in an array of festivities for all ages. It seemed like we were in a receiving line when we ventured down the street with our friend, Chris. We could go no more than 10 or 15 feet without her meeting someone she knew. We met many residents from the Sun Valley-Ketchum-Hailey area.

Great Wagon Days Duck Race

For a $5 donation, you could buy a rubber duck with an id number on its bottom. Thousands of little ducks were raced down the Big Wood River. There were fabulous prizes awarded for the early finishers, including $1 million in store credits in the Sun Valley area shops. Proceeds of the race benefit students, charities, and countless non-profits. I haven't heard that we have won the $1 million, yet.

The Beginning of the Big Hitch Parade

The EhCapa Lead Riders

EhCapa

The EhCapa Riders are youngsters aged 8 to 18 who are trained to do maneuvers and jumps, all without the aid of bridles or saddles. The organization was formed in 1956 as a way for kids to have fun with their horses.  The riding style is reminiscent of Native Americans. EhCapa is Apache spelled backwards! Needles to say, they were very impressive

 

Since there were so many horses in the parade, the local hockey team was enlisted to don roller blades and scoop up the road apples after the horses passed. They had a very interesting technique and often there was pressure to finish the job before the next group marched by! On many occasions they elicited enthusiastic applause!

The Grand Marshall