Horse-loving dads will be drawn to a new North Okanagan event.
Horse Drawn Okanagan from Spallumcheen will take two teams of its Clydesdale horses to Timber Ridge Trails near Lumby for a special Father's Day gathering called Dads and Drafts.
The horses will will be harnessed and hooked to an old-fashioned wagon, offering rides to guests on a beautiful private horse farm, on Sunday, June 16.
Everyone is welcome to come and experience the horses, enjoy the great outdoors, relax, and have lunch with family and friends.
“The last time we brought our horses to Timber Ridge Trails was to offer a carriage ride for a wedding," said Kelly MacIntosh with Horse Drawn Okanagan. "We love the venue and thought it would be a perfect setting to offer an event open to the public. We are so happy to have partnered with Timber Ridge Trails this year, they are incredible hosts and caterers, and we look forward to celebrating Father’s Day in Lumby this year.”
Lunch will be made fresh on the outdoor skillet by the Timber Ridge Team, locally sourced from Helmet's Sausage Kitchen in Vernon. There will also be a staged photo area for family portraits, a scavenger hunt, and some yard games to play, and the trails will be open for walking, before heading home in time for dad’s Father's Day golf game, or nap.
“Part of our goal is to help educate the public of the significance draft horses have had in our past," said MacIntosh. "We hear the occasional dad or grandpa tell stories about how they used horses on the farm to grow crops or go to school by horse and buggy, but soon those stories won’t include horses anymore.
"We want to pay tribute to draft horses and keep that storytelling alive, and also introduce this part of history to younger generations.”
Guests can sign up for an 11 a.m., 12 or 1 p.m. arrival time. Wagon rides are with a team of Clydesdales and will run throughout the event. Lunch includes the option of a bratwurst, smokie, or veggie dog for adults, and kids receive a hot dog, along with homemade cookies and refreshments.
Outdoor games include bean bag toss, horseshoes, tic tac toe, badminton, and pin the tail on the Clydesdale (not a real Clydesdale). The private trails will also be open for walking through the woods.
Pre-registration is required. For more information and to purchase tickets, contact Kelly MacIntosh at 250-540-7344, horsedrawnokanagan@gmail.com or visit www.horsedrawnokanagan.com. The cost is $25 for adults, $15 for kids 4-10 years, and it’s free for children three and under.