The Northwoods Harness Club’s 37th annual Sleigh & Cutter Rally will bring the classic “Jingle Bells” lyrics to life this weekend at Northern Pines Golf Course in Iron River, Wisconsin. The event, running from 12 to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, offers a unique opportunity for carriage enthusiasts and the public to experience traditional sleigh driving, complete with horses like Brawn, a sturdy Norwegian Fjord bred for winter conditions. Attendees can watch from inside or outside the venue, with food and drinks available, though no rides will be offered.

Julie Dahlberg, a professional sleigh driver who has participated for years, emphasizes the importance of preserving this historic winter pastime. She highlights the community aspect of the rally, where carriage friends reunite and share their passion for horses and sleighs. Dahlberg also trains horses for sleigh driving and notes that the tradition of horses wearing bells originated to prevent collisions on snowy trails. Today, sleigh driving is mostly a hobby, but events like this help keep the tradition alive.