Changes to the 2025 Holiday Horse Parade
Friends - from Monument Square District - Urbana, Ohio,
We regret to inform the community that we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Urbana Ohio Horse Parade this year due to concerns surrounding a recent outbreak of the Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) virus.
The outbreak originated at the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event Nov 5-9 in Waco, Texas. Approximately 700 horses were on site for these events.
On Sunday, November 23, 2025 a case of EHV-1 was confirmed in Madison County, Ohio. It is believed that this case did not originate in Texas but the exact origin has not been determined. To me, not knowing is worse than knowing.
EHV-1 is a contagious virus that affects horses and other equine species. It can cause fever, respiratory illness, abortion in pregnant mares, and in some cases a serious neurological form known as EHM (Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy). EHM is a very serious virus that can lead to the death of the horse. (think of it as Covid for horses). There is a vaccine for EHV-1, but currently there is no vaccine to prevent it from developing into EHM which this strain seems to do a lot. The virus spreads primarily through close contact and shared equipment among horses, but has the ability to spread via airborne moisture droplets. It does not affect humans or other non-equine animals.
Our priority is to take every precaution necessary to safeguard the health of horses in our region and prevent potential spread.
More Information can be found at the Equine Disease Communication Center at
https://www.equinediseasecc.org/
We appreciate the community’s understanding and continued support as we take responsible steps to protect the equine community while keeping the holiday spirit alive.
I feel terrible about cancelling the parade, but I would feel a lot worse if we had the event and infected some horses.
We regret to inform the community that we have made the difficult decision to cancel the Urbana Ohio Horse Parade this year due to concerns surrounding a recent outbreak of the Equine Herpesvirus Type 1 (EHV-1) virus.
The outbreak originated at the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association World Finals and Elite Barrel Race event Nov 5-9 in Waco, Texas. Approximately 700 horses were on site for these events.
On Sunday, November 23, 2025 a case of EHV-1 was confirmed in Madison County, Ohio. It is believed that this case did not originate in Texas but the exact origin has not been determined. To me, not knowing is worse than knowing.
EHV-1 is a contagious virus that affects horses and other equine species. It can cause fever, respiratory illness, abortion in pregnant mares, and in some cases a serious neurological form known as EHM (Equine Herpes Myeloencephalopathy). EHM is a very serious virus that can lead to the death of the horse. (think of it as Covid for horses). There is a vaccine for EHV-1, but currently there is no vaccine to prevent it from developing into EHM which this strain seems to do a lot. The virus spreads primarily through close contact and shared equipment among horses, but has the ability to spread via airborne moisture droplets. It does not affect humans or other non-equine animals.
Our priority is to take every precaution necessary to safeguard the health of horses in our region and prevent potential spread.
More Information can be found at the Equine Disease Communication Center at
https://www.equinediseasecc.org/
We appreciate the community’s understanding and continued support as we take responsible steps to protect the equine community while keeping the holiday spirit alive.
I feel terrible about cancelling the parade, but I would feel a lot worse if we had the event and infected some horses.
New Schedule for Friday, November 28, 2025
10:00 Specialty Shops & Fine Dining Open for Black Friday Shopping
4:00 - Vendors in the Square Open
4:30 - 8:30 Holiday Music in the Streets
5:15 - Caroling in Legacy Park (everyone welcome)
5:30 - Tree Lighting Ceremony
6:00 - Santa arrives by Horse Drawn Wagon (front of The Peoples Savings Bank)
6:15 - Santa Land Opens at Oxner's General Store, 122 South Main Street
6:00 - 8:00 Horse Drawn Wagon Rides (front of The Peoples Savings Bank)
10:00 Specialty Shops & Fine Dining Open for Black Friday Shopping
4:00 - Vendors in the Square Open
4:30 - 8:30 Holiday Music in the Streets
5:15 - Caroling in Legacy Park (everyone welcome)
5:30 - Tree Lighting Ceremony
6:00 - Santa arrives by Horse Drawn Wagon (front of The Peoples Savings Bank)
6:15 - Santa Land Opens at Oxner's General Store, 122 South Main Street
6:00 - 8:00 Horse Drawn Wagon Rides (front of The Peoples Savings Bank)
2025 Santa Land Hours
Friday, November 28th, After the Parade until 9:00 pm
Saturday, December 13th, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Friday, December 19th, 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Saturday, December 20th, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Sunday, December 21st, 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Monday, December 22nd, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Tuesday, December 23rd, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Friday, November 28th, After the Parade until 9:00 pm
Saturday, December 13th, 10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Friday, December 19th, 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Saturday, December 20th, 11:00 am to 2:00 pm
Sunday, December 21st, 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Monday, December 22nd, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
Tuesday, December 23rd, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm
