The Wissahickon Day Parade, a procession of horseback riders and horse-drawn carriages, is returning this Sunday, April 26.
The parade, now over 100 years old, begins at Northwestern Stables (120 W. Northwestern Ave.) at noon and proceeds along Forbidden Drive, ending at Valley Green Inn.
The parade’s history goes back to 1921, when hundreds of Philadelphia equestrians rallied to “Save the Wissahickon.” The rally was protesting a proposal that would allow cars to drive along what was then called Wissahickon Boulevard. The protesters defeated the proposal and city officials later named the wide gravel road Forbidden Drive, which remains closed to cars. To commemorate this victory, the Wissahickon Day Parade was founded.
According to Nancy Peter, co-president of the Wissahickon Valley Riding and Driving Association, this year’s parade is the first official one since 2019. After the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the event in 2020, there was a hiatus. Then, for the past three years, Peter and her fellow co-president Andrea Shumsky organized an informal gathering on Forbidden Drive.
This year, the organizers were able to obtain low-cost insurance and a permit from Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. With the go-ahead from the parks department, Peter, Shumsky, and a group of other volunteers began to publicize the event. They posted flyers, reached out to past participants, and maintained an online presence to get the word out.
At the beginning of the parade, all registered participants receive a ribbon to wear. Then they proceed down Northwestern Avenue, which will be closed to traffic, and onto Forbidden Drive. The carriages lead the way, followed by the riders. Once the procession arrives at Valley Green Inn, announcers will name the people and horses walking by.
This year’s event is honoring Dr. Thomas Fitzpatrick, a 101-year-old World War II veteran and Flourtown resident. Fitzpatrick is a longtime participant and supporter of the parade, first attending as a child in 1929. He will be riding in one of the horse-drawn carriages on Sunday.
The Wissahickon Day Parade is a “labor of love” for Peter, who first attended the event in 1985 as a spectator. As a horseback rider and science educator with a background in animal behavior, Peter enjoys the opportunity to celebrate nature and animals.
“Any excuse to ride my horse, celebrate horsemanship and equestrian activities, and be in the park is huge to me,” Peter said. “The Wissahickon Day Parade is really a combination of my love of horses, my love of the Wissahickon, my interest in sharing what I think is an incredible privilege with other people, and my background as an educator wanting folks to enjoy the outdoors and the animals.”
To register or learn more, visit the “Wissahickon Day Parade” page on Facebook or email Nancy Peter at nancy.peter@verizon.net. The event will be canceled if there is heavy rain; check Facebook for updates.
Maggie Dougherty can be reached at Margaret@chestnuthilllocal.com.
