The Christmas parade in Virginia’s hunting capital of Middleburg may be best known for its pageantry of horses, but some smaller furry friends have been making just as much of a mark on the annual festival since its 1979 inception.
Tucked in amongst the formation of antique cars and firetrucks, marching bands, and, yes, Santa Claus, the Corgi Corps exhibits unique passion for its namesake breed.
“It was a big hit, and it’s just grown and grown,” says Holly Hudimac, a retired loan officer who’s organized the group’s gathering since its founders moved from the area 20 years ago.
As many as 90 corgi aficionados come from as far away as North Carolina and Pennsylvania to pass out treats and showcase their canines, long- or short-haired, tricolored, brindle, or sable.
“People really make a weekend of it,” says Hudimac, who extends invitations on corgi social media pages and manages an email list of over 300 interested owners.
Some of the pups are celebrities, like Moogle the Fluffy Corgi, whose Instagram account (@moogle_the_fluffy_corgi) touts more than 19,000 followers. Others are service animals, like Ellie Pidgeon’s Toby, a pup trained at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Tony 2 Toes, a cheerful rescue corgi with a front leg deformity, used to attend every year in a stroller pushed by Amy Appleby of Berryville. “People would remember him,” Appleby says. “I’d go along the sidelines so they could pet him.”
Most owners make signs featuring their dog’s name, and the most festive participants dress their dog, and themselves, in Christmas costumes.
“They really add cuteness to the parade,” says Hudimac, who says corgis were the first dogs to be featured in a parade that now hosts a group of Great Pyrenees and other pets as well. This year, the corgis bring the added significance of being the favorite breed of Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September at the age of 96.
Hudimac will be parading again this year alongside her Pembroke corgis, Panda and Abby. The Pembroke variety, one favored by the Queen, are a bit smaller and usually have docked tails, while Cardigan corgis have long, foxlike tails.
Appleby, meanwhile, will also be returning this year with Vinny, her red and white companion. The parade, Appleby says, has grown substantially, “but it still has a hometown feel.”
The enthusiasm these pups bring to holiday festivities is not to be missed.
Get your parking pass early, as spaces usually sell out.
Middleburg Hunt & Hounds Review, December 3 at 11 a.m., parade at 2 p.m.
Feature image courtesy Middleburg Christmas Parade
This story originally ran in our December issue. For more stories like this, subscribe to our monthly magazine.
