Residents can clippity-clop into holidays at Sagebrush-Ranch

It's the desert's answer to "Jingle Bells."

Dashing down the trail, in a horse-drawn wagon sleigh, Sagebrush-Ranch hopes to have visitors laughing all the way.

The Centennial Hills horse ranch turns winter wonderland with Christmas Caroling on Horseback.

Visitors are invited to a two-hour outdoor event, including a ride on a horse-drawn wagon or atop one of 13 horses. The event culminates in a bonfire and chili feast with Santa.

The ranch's tradition started 16 years ago when a small group visited around Christmastime.

"We started out with a cart and a horse pulling the cart, (and) Santa drove the cart," ranch owner Jacque Fitzgerald said. "I served everyone chili at my kitchen table. It grew so big, I couldn't have it at my house anymore."

Crowds and Fitzgerald's fleet of horses expanded, and she tweaked the holiday event. Fitzgerald decks the halls of the ranch for the holidays, right up to the wagon used for caroling, she said.

She strings Christmas lights and straps a small stereo blaring Christmas songs. There have been years that wagon wheels have broken or crowds were lean, but Fitzgerald said she often thinks of one memorable year.

"The stereo quit and everybody sang," she said. "It was really neat, and it was almost prettier."

Facilities are equipped for visitors with physical disabilities and those of all ages. New memories with friends and family are most welcome, she said.

"It doesn't matter if they're 2 months or 92," Fitzgerald said. "We all try to remember the real reason we're here for Christmas."

Sagebrush-Ranch is at 7103 Rebecca Road. For more information, visit sagebrush-ranch.com or call 645-9422.

Contact Centennial and North Las Vegas View reporter Maggie Lillis at mlillis@viewnews.com or 477-3839.