Harmon's Horse Drawn Hayrides & Carriages Parades at the White House

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The White House decorated for Christmas
Photo Sue Harmon

2008
Harmon's Belgians at the White House !

View 2007 Christmas Tree Delivery

On a drizzly, rainy Sunday at the end of November Sue Harmon drove Dempsey & Karry, two of Harmon's Hayrides and Carriages Belgian Draft horses up the drive to the North Portico of the White House to meet First Lady Laura Bush. They were carrying the official 2008 Blue Room White House Christmas Tree. The tree was a 20-foot Fraser Fir grown by Jesse Davis and Russell Estes owners of River Ridge Tree Farms in Creston, North Carolina. Davis and Estes won the right to present the tree to The White House by winning The Grand Championship at The National Christmas Tree Association's national Christmas Tree contest at the Association's annual convention in August at Des Moines, Iowa. The tree they displayed was judged the most perfect Christmas tree entered.

Sue Harmon, the first woman to drive the tree up to The White House, approaches the North Portico accompanied by members of The National Park Service.

The tree had been covered by a huge canvas tarp until just before starting up the drive to The North Portico. After the presentation Sue quickly unhitched Dempsey and Karry so that the White House Staff could unload the tree as speedily as possible to prevent bringing a wet tree into the White House.

The ceremony attendees were all carrying umbrellas because of the rain. After the presentation they quickly returned to The White House for a reception.

The horses and wagon wait while Mrs. Bush thanked the tree growers and The National Christmas Tree Association.

The Horses were then ground driven back through the White House grounds and Security Gates to reach the truck and trailer to return to the farm. It was a miserable day because of the weather, but still a very impressive ceremony.

View 2007 Christmas Tree Delivery

For more information, please call:

Meadow Acres Farm
14488 Weeping Willow Lane
Brandy Station, Virginia 22714-2344
Phone: 540-825-6707
Fax: 540-825-5127
Email: info@harmonscarriages.com

	Sue Harmon, the first woman to drive the tree up to The White House, approaches the North Portico accompanied by members of The National Park Service.
	The tree had been covered by a huge canvas tarp until just before starting up the drive to The North Portico. After the presentation Sue quickly unhitched Dempsey and Karry so that the White House Staff could unload the tree as speedily as possible to prevent bringing a wet tree into the White House.
	The ceremony attendees were all carrying umbrellas because of the rain. After the presentation they quickly returned to The White House for a reception.
	The horses and wagon wait while Mrs. Bush thanked the tree growers and The National Christmas Tree Association. The Horses were then ground driven back through the White House grounds and Security Gates to reach the truck and trailer to return to the farm. It was a miserable day because of the weather, but still a very impressive ceremony.