The city of Nitro will celebrate its 100th birthday next month with an all-horse parade.
The Nitro Centennial All-Horse Parade will be at noon May 13. The dedication of the city's new Living Memorial Park will follow.
"People love to see horses in a parade, so they should love this parade filled with horses," parade organizer Susan Valleau said in a news release Thursday. "Many horses served alongside soldiers in both World War I and World War II. This parade will honor both the veterans and the horses. We call on all horse owners who want to participate to register soon."
Ponies, donkeys and mules, as well as wagons and sulkies, will also be welcome in the parade.
Cash and other prizes will be awarded for the best: rider in a World War I doughboy soldier costume; rider in a World War II soldier costume; wagon decorated in a theme for either World War I or World War II; patriotically decorated horse and rider; and patriotically decorated group of five or more riders, the release says.
Prizes also will be awarded to the youngest and oldest riders.
The parade is part of several events meant to celebrate Nitro's founding as a center for making gunpowder during World War I. About 2,500 horses - including 500 riding horses and 1,500 working horses - were used in the creation of Nitro, the release says.
The horse parade will begin and end at Pickens Road, west of the railroad tracks on the northern end of Nitro. All participating horses must have negative Coggins test results. Any from outside West Virginia must have health certificates.
For information about the parade or to register, call 304-721-9800 or email nitrowv.cvb@gmail.com.