Residents urge town to allow horses in parades; mayor says event insurance and registration determine participation

Dozens of residents called on the Coupeville Town Council on June 24 to reverse what they described as a de facto ban on horses in some community events and to clarify town rules for animals at parades and festivals.

The requests centered on Red Locke, owner of Big Red Barn, who said she had been told her horses could not participate in this year’s Bridal Parade after she and others had sought to join. "When asked permission, the mayor had informed me that there were too many complaints ... that it was too much of a liability," Locke told the council during the public-comment period.

Why it matters: Speakers said horses are part of Coupeville’s rural and cultural heritage, draw large, positive public interest and support local equine businesses and youth programs. The discussion prompted the mayor to explain how event sponsorship, registration and insurance determine whether live animals can appear.

Mayor Hughes said the town has not changed its rules on animals in parades that are formally organized and registered. "Registration is required. And the Christmas parade and the Memorial Day parade are completely different than the bridal parade and the Halloween parade in town," Hughes said. "The Chamber of Commerce gets special insurance that allows for livestock, allows for live animals." She added that some events — specifically the Pride and Halloween parades this year — operate as open, unregistered marches where organizers did not list live animals when they obtained event insurance.

Multiple speakers described the public benefits of horses. Barbara Collins said horses bring "a sensory energized atmosphere" to parades and help children and residents connect to local history. Doug Mills, who owns Iron Mills Ranch, and other equestrians described long family ties to local parades and urged the council to find a path to allow horses safely.

Several speakers described successful examples of working with the town for controlled animal appearances: library visits, Memorial Day and Christmas parades and organized festivals where sponsors obtained special-event permits and coordinated with marshals and public works. Jean North, who leases property to Big Red Barn, said the operation has worked with safety experts and that she is "comfortable" having children participate there.

Mayor Hughes explained how the town and event sponsors manage safety and liability: registered events produce a lineup so organizers can place animals away from loud groups and children; sponsors secure insurance that specifies whether live animals are included; and market operators control their footprint when events use private market space. Hughes also said the town’s special-event application asks whether animals will be present and that event organizers should apply early: "Special-event applications generally need to be turned in 60 days in advance." She added that the town will continue to work with groups that want to include animals but must balance that with safety and insurance requirements.

The council did not take formal action on the matter at the June 24 meeting. Several speakers asked for clearer published guidance; town staff and event organizers said they will continue working with equine businesses to identify permitted circumstances and to explain the permitting and insurance process.

Next steps: Mayor Hughes said the town will continue to enforce the current permitting and insurance framework and encouraged organizers to register events in advance so animals can be included with appropriate insurance and placement.