North Dakota Town prepares for “Horsefest”

TAYLOR, N.D. (AP) — Many cities have their Octoberfest but only Taylor has a Horsefest.

The southwestern North Dakota community of about 150 people is preparing for its 21st celebration of the horse, scheduled for July 26.

The Horsefest features horse-drawn machinery and a parade of horse-drawn vehicles. Motorized vehicles are prohibited from the parade.

Horsefest is popular with North Dakota politicians but some have had problems at the event.

In 2006, former Congressman Earl Pomeroy was able to finish the horseback parade ride with a skinned lip and swollen nose after he fell off his mount.

In 2000, when former Gov. John Hoeven was making his first run for the office, he suffered a gash and black eye when a horse rammed a metal piece of its bridle into Hoeven's forehead.