A family tradition for half a decade, the Highland Tractor Parade, keeps growing each year. This parade is hosted by Mason Dixon Country and Falling Branch Brewery. The tractors begin the parade promptly at 5 P.M., starting at North Harford High School before winding their way down the road towards their final destination at Falling Branch Brewery, where the wagons are then judged.
“After the tractors end up at Falling Branch, you get the opportunity to walk around the event and explore activities such as; vendors, music, food trucks, meeting with friends, and visiting the other tractors that were a part of the parade,” says junior and FFA secretary Sophia Reinert, who participated in the parade.
Many local businesses and families participate in the parade annually such as county executive Bob Cassily, Grimmel Farms, Keene Dodge, High View Farm, Benjamin’s Landing, Sexton Family Farm, Beachmont, Molly Hill Farm, High’s Gas Station, and North Harford High School’s very own FFA chapter.
Every year, FFA members decorate the wagon to fit a different theme. This year, the theme was decided to be Winter Wonderland by the “FFA Social Committee,” says senior and FFA president Waverly Iriarte.
This theme consisted of the tractor and wagon being decorated with “lights, tree [and] music,” says agriculture teacher and FFA advisor Mrs. Aimee Densmore. Preparation for the parade begins months before the holiday season begins. “We try to come up with a theme about a month before [the parade],” says Densmore.
In order to ride on the wagon during the parade, FFA members had to help decorate the wagon. Densmore says, “[Senior] Waverly Iriarte, [junior] Dylan Fulp, [junior] Keegan Huss, [senior] Jonathan VanBuskirk, [junior] Miranda Buettner, [junior] Lyla Deckman, [junior] Erin McGovern, [sophomore] Blakely Jackanicz, [junior] Sophie Reinert, [junior] Grayson Whaley, Mrs. Densmore, Mrs. [Hannah] Jarrell,” all participated in decorating and then riding on the wagon during the parade.