It is with great sadness that we make this announcement. The Metamora Village Council met on November 16th and discussed the All Horse Holiday Parade. With input from Chief of Police Mallett and the Village attorney, the council voted unanimously to have the Chamber cancel the parade due to covid restrictions. Please know that this was not an easy decision. The council is just looking out for the health and wellbeing of the community.

The Chamber is hoping to have this event later at another time...maybe a "Christmas in July" parade - provided that the case numbers are significantly decreased. We will keep you updated if and when that happens.

HERE WE COME A WASSAILING!!!     
​DECEMBER 6, 2020
​

                                                                                        Your safety is our priority! 

• In the equine parking area, we will spread out groups to provide for safe social distancing.
• We will also space out groups for the parade, leaving space between each group. 
• In order to prevent congregating on the corner downtown, we will not have a parade announcer.  The night before the parade, we will publish a list of the parade order with descriptions. The list will be here on the web site and on the Facebook page of the Chamber and the Facebook page of the event. 
• We ask that spectators stay behind the curb and also practice safe, social distancing - think of it as one horse between your group and another group of spectators. The parade route is long so space yourselves out.
• The MDHSS requires that gathering organizers must not allow indoor or outdoor gatherings of any kind unless they require individuals to wear a face mask. Therefore - masks are required by all participants and spectators.
•  We will monitor published guidelines from MHDSS and adhere to  meaningful modifications or changes as they occur.
  

                       What does "Wassail" mean?

For centuries, wassailing was a way to toast someone’s good health. But, in England, wassail also denoted the alcoholic beverage you imbibed during that toast—an elixir of steamy mulled mead or cider. Sometimes, wassail was a whipped dark beer flavored with roasted crab apples. At Christmastide, the poor expected privileges denied them at other times, including the right to enter the homes of the wealthy, who feasted them from the best of their provisions.  At these gatherings, the bands of roving wassailers often performed songs for the master while drinking his beer, toasting him, his family, his livestock, wishing continued health and wealth. By the 19th century, wassailing would mellow. As the custom of caroling became the dominant door-to-door pastime, alcohol-fueled begging dwindled.

Metamora will celebrate the tradition of Wassailing on December 6. 2020. 

All Horse Parade
​December 6, 2:00 pm

Join us on December 6, 2020 in Metamora, Michigan for the Wassailing Celebration Horse and Carriage Holiday Parade hosted by the Metamora Area Chamber of Commerce.

No fire engines, no bands, no motorcycles  JUST HORSES!
 
Awards will be given in several categories and every participant receives a commemorative ornament.

Download a parade  application HERE

Download a sponsorship application HERE

PARADE ROUTE