Published: May 07, 2006 05:04 pm      

Parade features horses, wagons, drizzle

DUNCAN — Horses pulling wagons marched down the streets of downtown Duncan.

The Chisholm Trail Stampede parade was held Saturday and despite the threat of rain and cool temperatures, people still lined the streets of the parade route.

Rachel Jackson, Main Street Duncan program director, said she thought the number of people who showed up for the parade was good because of the weather conditions.

“I think it’s pretty good,” Jackson said. “It was a bit lacking at first, which I think was because of the weather. But everyone seemed to show up at the last minute.”

The parade was part of the annual Chisholm Trail Stampede celebration, which included a 5k run-walk at the Simmons Center, the 18th annual PRCA Rodeo at the Stephens County fairgrounds, a town picture on Main Street, among other events.

Groups involved in the parade included the Southwest Oklahoma Blood Institute, Girl Scout troop 509 and the National Guard.

Gary and Linda Clark, who raise miniature horses, were a part of the parade.

Gary said the Duncan Chamber of Commerce contacted them and asked them to be in the parade.

In the parade, the Clarks had some of their grandchildren with them.

Linda said, “We’re trying to get our grandchildren involved in horses and maybe they won’t get involved in other things.”

She also said she thought the weather was going to be a problem.

“I thought it would get rained out,” she said.

Their daughter, Patricia Rice, rode in Gary’s wagon, while Linda rode in another wagon with the grandchildren.

Rice said she thought the parade was short.

“Usually, it’s a lot longer,” she said.