by Noella Noelophile®
Photograph courtesy of Carol Larsen and used with permission.
The Victorian village of Ferndale is something special anyway.
Even BEFORE they host their annual “Lighted Tractor Parade”.
But–guess what they’re doing, tomorrow evening!
For their 31st annual Lighted Tractor Parade, participants will be lining up at 4:30 tomorrow afternoon, Sunday, December 17th, for judging, under the Christmas tree.
Which, by the way, is America’s tallest living Christmas tree, at the end of Main Street.
(Photo courtesy of Carol Larsen, and used with permission.)
Judging of the fanciful lighted tractors, horse-drawn floats and various other country Christmas entries begins at 5:00 pm.
Then, the parade sets off down Main Street, at 6:00 pm or “when we get done milking”, according to Ferndale’s Lighted Tractor Parade website.
And if you don’t happen to be able to visit in-person, here is the link for their live stream.
This year, this close-knit dairy farming community has extended their parade route, so that visitors can watch from the comfort of their vehicles. The parade starts at the top of Main Street, then turns left on Arlington Avenue, before making another left on 5th Street.
Photograph courtesy of Carol Larsen and used with permission.
If you’re in the area, you’re encouraged to come early to enjoy the shops and dining on Main Street. The “Visit Ferndale” website offers a full list of local merchants you might like to support.
I personally would be very tempted by Dave’s Hobby Shop. Ferndale Lighted Tractor Parade’s Facebook page mentions that owner Dave Griffiths created this year’s 2023 commemorative Tractor Parade ornament!
When this COVID mess is finally in our rearview mirror, I’m hoping we can spend a weekend in Ferndale and experience the parade live. It’s both breathtakingly beautiful, with all the lighted entries, and maintains a serious sense of fun.
(My favorite entry, from last year’s livestream, was by a family who showed up on their float dressed in black-and-white cow suits! Can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with, this year!)
Meanwhile, a very Merry Christmas to the Victorian village of Ferndale! You can bet we’ll be watching the festivities via livestream.