Horse Drawn Floats in the Rose Bowl Parade

 

Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop, the nation’s premier builder of authentic, horse-drawn vehicles, is proud to have built or restored three of the horse-drawn carriages represented in the 2014 Rose Bowl Parade. These horse-drawn wagons and coaches were either authentically replicated or restored by the craftsmen at Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop, located in Letcher, SD. 

These horse-drawn vehicles featured in the 2014 Rose Bowl parade were a 1903 Studebaker Beer wagon owned by Budweiser and pulled by the famous Budweiser Clydesdale horses as well as two replica Concord stagecoaches owned by Wells Fargo, each pulled by four horse hitches.

A hitch of Clydesdales has pulled the City of St. Louis' float, co-sponsored by Budweiser, in the Tournament of Roses Parade from 1954 to 2011. In 2014 the Clydesdales returned to the Rose Parade, this time pulling the Budweiser Studebaker beer wagon. As a salute to the history of the Clydesdales in the Tournament of Roses Parade, the President of the Tournament of Roses rode on the Hansen-restored Budweiser beer wagon instead of the usual classic car. 

The Wells Fargo float entry in the Tournament of Roses Parade included two stagecoaches which were replications of the original stagecoaches built by Carriage builder, J. Stephens Abbot and master wheelwright, Lewis Downing in the mid 1800’s. Wells Fargo has several stagecoaches built by Hansen Wheel and Wagon Shop that they use for parades. These authentic, Wells Fargo approved reproduction coaches are pulled by a specially trained team of horses, guided by an experienced driver.

Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop is known best for building authentic western style horse-drawn vehicles in the United States. Having restored or replicated historically significant horse-drawn vehicles such as the Budweiser 1903 Studebaker Beer Wagon, the Wells Fargo stagecoaches, Civil War Army Wagon replicas and other wagons of historical significance, for museums, collectors, theme parks, and tourism. Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop carries items related to wagons, stagecoaches and horse-drawn carriages. 

The Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop carries over 1,300 unique products in their online store, including a complete selection of wagon parts and supplies, wood wagon and cannon wheels, hitch equipment and horse-drawn wagon plans and books.

"We are committed to exceeding expectations, while delivering results that mirror the handcrafted quality of old world artisans. Authentic quality craftsmanship never goes out of style. We are dedicated to that tradition of excellence and understand the enduring value of personal attention to detail,” said Doug Hansen, owner of Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop.

Hansen also offers an extensive selection of museum services for restoring and conserving wagons, stagecoaches and a wide variety of  horse-drawn carriages.  
  
About Hansen Wheel & Wagon Shop:
For thirty-five years, our experienced staff of dedicated craftsmen have fashioned a line of superior quality wagons, wheels, and equipment to suit a wide range of individual budgets and interests. We back our products with a commitment to customer service and satisfaction.

Our location on the plains of the Dakotas is just one of the many reasons we closely identify with the pioneering spirit and traditions of the West. We live our work, love what we do and take great pride in providing you with the most historically accurate horse-drawn vehicles anywhere this side of the 1800’s.

NYC LGBT Pride 2014: A Sneak Peek

 

Much of the Tri-State region might be preparing for another blast of arctic January temperatures, but that hasn't stopped officials from looking ahead to the forthcoming LGBT Pride Week celebrations in New York. 

Heritage of Pride shared a sneak peek at 2014 NYC Pride with HuffPost Gay Voices in the form of this colorful new video. The event will coincide with the 45th anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots, so revelers can expect an extra-festive celebration this June 21-29.

Time Lapse: Honda Tournament of Roses Parade Float

The Honda Rose Parade float entry, "Follow Your Dreams," made its debut on Jan. 1, 2013. Check out how it started in the beginning stages of construction and made its splendid appearance as the first float in the 124th Rose Parade on Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013. The float's design captures the parade theme, "Oh, the Places You'll Go!™," through its imaginative depiction of innovative Honda technologies and Dr. Seuss-inspired features.

Can you spot the three world-champion athletes riding on the float on New Year's Day: U.S. sprinter Carmelita Jeter, and from the summer's "Fierce Five" gymnastics team, McKayla Maroney and Kyla Ross?

The Honda float featured more than 5,000 roses, 11,000 carnations and 2,500 gerberas. A variety of flowers, plants and seeds were used, including lavender dendrobs, pink pincushion protea, white queen Anne's lace, dark blue iris, light pink carnations, orange roses, Kermit green mums, brown flax seed, shiny grey silverleaf, red large kidney beans and cream corn husk, among many others. All of these natural materials are later ground up for mulch after the conclusion of the parade activities.

For the third straight year, Honda's float was propelled by a specially configured hybrid, low-emission engine to help the float function more efficiently and reduce its carbon footprint.

Mardi Gras Season Kicks Off in Shreveport-Bossier

 

Carnival season is officially underway in Shreveport-Bossier: Louisiana's Other Side. Major parade dates for 2014 include: the Krewe of Sobek, Jan. 18; the Krewe of Harambee, Jan. 20; the Krewe of Centaur, Feb. 22; the Krewe of Gemini, March 1; and the Krewe of Highland, March 2. In addition to parades, Carnival season in Shreveport-Bossier features extravagant bals, float-loading parties, live music events and more. 2014 marks the 25th annual celebration of Carnival season in Shreveport-Bossier since parading krewes returned to the region in 1989, and area krewes plan to celebrate the silver anniversary in style. A full listing of Carnival season events in Shreveport-Bossier can be found at http://www.sbfunguide.com.
Major Parade Weekends

A combined total of more than 400,000 revelers are expected to attend the Krewe of Centaur and Krewe of Gemini parades, which are the largest parades in northern Louisiana. The Krewe of Centaur XXIII parade, with the theme “Fables, Folk Lore and Fairy Tales,” will roll on Saturday, Feb. 22. The Krewe of Gemini XXV parade, with the theme “Throw Me a Memory, Mister!,” will roll on Saturday, March 1. Both parades begin at 4:30 p.m. at the intersection of Clyde Fant Parkway and Lake Street in downtown Shreveport and proceed south along the riverfront parade route before ending in Shreveport’s Broadmoor neighborhood at the intersection of Preston Street and East Kings Highway. The route for both parades includes a kid-friendly, alcohol-free zone located near the beginning of the parade route at the intersection of Clyde Fant Parkway and Stoner Avenue.

Neighborhood Parades
Shreveport-Bossier also offers a variety of neighborhood parades. The Krewe of Sobek parade, which will depart from Fairgrounds Field at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 18, will roll through the Queensborough neighborhood with the theme “Sobek Under the Big Top.” The enormous Krewe of Harambee Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Mardi Gras Parade will roll through downtown Shreveport via Milam Street and Texas Street at 1 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 20. The Krewe of Harambee parade includes a large number of marching bands from throughout the region, as well as performing arts troupes including dance groups and stilt walkers. Following the parade, there is a “Battle of the Marching Bands” and second line in the 700 block of Elvis Presley Avenue near Shreveport Municipal Auditorium.

Pets have their own parade in Shreveport-Bossier, and thousands of pet owners dress their cats, dogs, ponies and more in Mardi Gras finery for the annual Krewe of Barkus and Meoux Pet Parade. Known locally as “the animal krewe,” the Krewe of Barkus and Meoux will march through RiverView Park in downtown Shreveport at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 23. Pet registration information and other parade details are available at http://www.animalkrewe.org. 

Shreveport-Bossier’s largest neighborhood parade, the Krewe of Highland parade will roll through Shreveport’s historic Highland neighborhood at 2 p.m. on Sunday, March 2. The Krewe of Highland is well-known for its funky, unpredictable array of floats, marching societies and bands, as well as unique throws that include grilled hot dogs, moon pies and more. The parade begins and ends at the intersection of Gilbert Drive and Gregg Avenue, proceeding along a circuitous route through the neighborhood via Gladstone Boulevard, Creswell Avenue, Olive Street and Centenary Boulevard. Popular spots for enjoying this parade include the area surrounding Columbia Park, 2900 Creswell Avenue, and the area surrounding the campus of Centenary College of Louisiana, 2911 Centenary Boulevard. 

For a complete listing of Carnival season festivities in Shreveport-Bossier, please visit http://www.sbfunguide.com. For more information on visiting Shreveport-Bossier, including accommodations, transportation and more, please visit http://www.shreveport-bossier.org.

Our Best Wishes for a Happy and Healthy New Year!