The Tournament of Roses has its Rose Parade. Macy’s has its Thanksgivings Day Parade. The People’s Republic of China has its National Day Parade. However these meager festivities happen but once a year. Here at Rosemary Farm, we have a parade everyday. In fact many times a day. Just about anytime you go somewhere around the farm becomes a parade. With 45 very domesticated animals here it is hard not to look back and see a flock of chickens, a pack of dogs (with a few cats) or a herd of horses keeping in step with you. It’s like being at the front of a conga line at Auntie Hannah’s Purim Pageant.

Walking grain down the hill to the horses is a sure way to start a parade. The chickens love the scraps left by the horses, and seven or eight are bound to follow you, clucking and cackling as they waddle their way down the hill in formation. A dog or two is sure to wag in, bringing up the rear.

Human participation is not always necessary for parades at Rosemary Farm. Letting the dogs out is always a spectacle as the three canines bound across the party field usually followed by a cat or two; and frequently unintentionally led by a squawking chicken or two.

And then there are the times we watch from the window at the surprising sight of a band of horses, who have started their own parade down the middle of Roses Brook Road. Casper has taken to being the Grand Marshall of those parades. In perfect disposition they gallantly trot the road one in front of the other.  Where they are going is not important – it never is in a parade, the joy is in the act of getting there.

Indoor parades are also regularly scheduled in the farm house; person, dog, dog, cat, dog, cat, person – and in the library the bunnies join the fray.  The morning parade goes down the stairs to the backdoor.  The food parade is around the kitchen into cold storage and out again (that one is regularly scheduled twice a day.)  And then the evening parade back up the stairs. Of course, there are several bathroom parades throughout the day but we tend to discourage those.

The festivities NEVER END here at Rosemary Farm.  At least it’s never boring, and you’re never alone!