A file photo of Addy Winborg steading two black Percheron horses on Tuesday Nov. 29,2022. The team will be used to pull visitors on wagon rides at the American West Heritage Center during the month of December. Chance Getz is the driver standing on the sleigh.
WELLSVILLE – America West Heritage Center (AWHC) is offering their annual sleigh rides again during the month of December. Site Farm Manager Chance Getz is an experienced horse handler. He has been giving sleigh rides for 14 years. Four years-ago when COVID hit the valley he started doing sleigh rides at AWHC and it has turned into an event people are clamoring to bring their families to.
December Holiday Sleigh Rides on the Farm are scheduled to take place on December 9, 16, 22, 23, 26, and 29 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Santa Claus will visit on Dec. 17, 22, and 23 during the same time as the sleigh rides and have a treat to share with each child.
Morgan Larson, a AWHC employee, said they’ve already been scheduling a lot of online tickets for the rides.
“If there is no snow, they will still give rides in our wheeled wagons,” she said. “The 10 to 15- minute ride will start at the Welcome Center then take participants to the farmhouse that will have Christmas decoration and people will be wearing period clothing to welcome visitors.”
The decorations at the farmhouse will be treasures from days gone by. Another stop will be at the livery stable where the riders can warm up with hot chocolate next door at the Opera House. The final destination will be at the Welcome Center where the journey began.
“All the Christmas decorations are up and lights will be on inside all of buildings where riders will visit,” she said. “The sledding hill will also be open the same hours as the horse-drawn sleigh rides.”
It is recommended people bring their own sleds. The sledding hill is popular but sledders need some leg strength to get up the hill.
“This year we have up to three wagons going. We have two ADA compliant wagons for wheelchair-bound or people with disabilities,” Larson said. “We are operating with different wagons pulled by several pairs of draft horses.”
AWHC has enough teams of horses some can rest while the others are pulling wagons.
The wagon rides are growing in popularity and are quickly becoming a family tradition. Even families from out of state are visiting the center to enjoy the horse-drawn sleigh rides, the Wellsville mountain beautiful views and enjoy the day together.
Last year they had several hundred people come each day to have a wagon ride in the snow and enjoy the sledding hill.
“We had nearly 2,000 people participate last year,” she said. “Remember to bring your own sled if you want to go down our hill and dress for the cold.”
The AWHC is a working historical farm located at 4025 S. Hwy 89-91 in Wellsville.