Sleigh bells ring, are you going?

You can experience the magic of a horse-drawn sleigh ride in a winter wonderland, the peaceful Spallumcheen countryside. Horses, sleigh bells, hot cocoa, and carolling around the fire, it鈥檚 a perfect Christmas activity for the whole family.

Horse Drawn Okanagan invites guests to take part in its seventh annual sleigh ride event, from Dec. 20鈥�24, and Dec. 26鈥�29, in Spallumcheen. Experience the power of the Clydesdales, Percherons and Belgians, gliding across the snow covered fields.
 
Guests can also visit with the resident ponies, as well as the friendly sheep and adorable donkey named Willow. Play some old-fashioned games, and take lots of photos with family and friends in the beautifully decorated hay shed. New this year are talented local musicians performing live, and there will also be additional displays of horse-drawn equipment.

鈥淲e are excited to have musicians join us this year. We love playing all the classic songs but there is something really special about live music," said event organizer and teamster Kelly MacIntosh. "We have an amazing piano player and a very talented guitar player joining us. After a lovely sleigh ride, it鈥檚 nice to spend some time in our venue enjoying music with loved ones.鈥� 
 
Hot chocolate and cookies are complementary and served from a vintage horse trailer bar. Sleigh rides are approximately 20-25 minutes long, and the sleighs can seat a maximum of 14 people. The whole experience will take approximately an hour and then guests can get home in time for dinner or holiday festivities.

Afternoon and evening times are available.

鈥淲e鈥檒l also have a couple of new displays of antique horse-drawn equipment in the hay field during the rides," said MacIntosh. "It鈥檚 important to us to provide a bit of information on the historical importance of draft horses, such as hauling freight, haying, logging, or ice harvesting. It鈥檚 part of our heritage.鈥�
 
Tickets must be purchased in advance through or by calling 250-549-7469. The event will take place at 4735 Grandview Flats Rd. North.
 
Special thanks to Okanagan Restoration Services; Oak Valley Homes; Rusty Spur, Farm, Feed and Pet; Armstrong Regional Cooperative; and Fox Springs Farms, for the sponsorship support ensuring a donation is made to the Vernon Search and Rescue as the Charity of Choice for this year's sleigh ride event by Horse Drawn Okanagan.
 
For more information contact MacIntosh at 250-540-7344, or at horsedrawnokanagan@gmail.com