We did our first parade with the sleigh bells. Dapper Dan was used to bells, but these are body bells, and hang under the belly--plus are pretty loud!--so I lead him around in the pasture earlier in the day for a trial run. He was a little spooked at the noise UNDER him, but it didn't take long to be ho hum.
The parade was about 2 miles long with hundreds of spectators. Dapper Dan and his bells were a big hit. We followed the antique tractors and behind us were the Shriners zipping around on their little skooters. We stopped to let people pet Dapper Dan along the way. The funniest were young teen boys.
I had a problem with Dapper Dan wanting to eat all the candy canes squished into the street by the tractors. The ones still in wrappers didn't interest him.
I had one scary moment about half way through. Buddy jumped out of the cart and was dragged underneath by the leash. Dapper Dan stopped quickly and I got Buddy out from under the cart. The leash was wrapped around the axle. A Shriner came to help, but we were under control and back in the parade. Buddy was fine, but I made a nest at my feet in the blanket and made him ride the rest of the way there, instead of on the seat beside me.
Heading south was very pleasant, but the 2 miles back to the trailer into a north wind were pretty cold!
I got someone to take our picture in the parking lot before the parade so you can hear how loud the bells are. They are attention-getters with the genuine "jingle bell" sound!
Notice Dapper Dan also has bells around his feet. We were noisy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAZ8ujAtJrs