Amesbury Carriage Festival

07/03/2012

Michael is a junior driver, age 11, who has been competing in Arena Driving Trials since he was 8 years old. This is the first time he has had to wear a tie in a formal Sporting Day of Driving. His Carriage Barn team are all very proud of his accomplishments. Thanks to everyone who helped Michael prepare and compete at the Festival, especially Kathi, his groom.

07/03/2012

A Sporting Day of Traditional Driving and more!

A Sporting Day of Traditional Driving and more!

07/03/2012

History on the move

The Fest was front page news in our local newspaper yesterday. Here's online edition: http://www.newburyportnews.com/local/x1437857940/History-on-the-move

Lining the walls of the Bob-Lyn Stables indoor arena yesterday were movable pieces of Amesbury’s industrial past in the form of carriages and a pair o

07/03/2012

Holly Pulsifer driving Tower Hill Robbie in her Maple Phaeton.

07/03/2012

Amesbury Carriage Festival's cover photo

07/03/2012

Amesbury Carriage Festival's cover photo

07/03/2012

By all accounts, a successful Amesbury Carriage Festival 2012 is now part of history! But, we can enjoy the photos and memories for days to come...First day photos from Saturday evening are up (thank you to friend Ron McKinnon for these and his invaluable help with set-up and break-down). And, be sure to check out the professional shots from Sunday at Moments in Grace Photography’s link. Thank you to everyone who made the Festival a great event! Stay tuned for more photos to come.

07/02/2012

A beautiful, warm summer evening with great food, music and a full house of guests and antique carriages.

A beautiful, warm summer evening with great food, music and a full house of guests and antique carriages.

06/28/2012

Another fun auction basket for our Sat. night event! This one from you-and-i-can-help local & sustainable fundraising: http://www.youandicanhelp.org/

06/26/2012

W.G. Ellis & Sons of Amesbury Massachusetts

A great little video with a classic American story that leads to Amesbury.

The history of the W.G. Ellis & Sons Carriage Manufacturers in Amesbury Massachusetts from 1867 to 1904.

06/25/2012

Big thanks to Bill Ellis, great-great-grandson of W.G. Ellis carriage manufacturing founder, for sharing some wonderful photos and information.

This is a photo of James Hume, he was my great great grandfather WG's brother in law and when WG came to Amesbury he learned the trade working with the Humes. His first wife was Janet and she died in her twenties....their only son William also died as a young man. My G G Grandmother was Euphemia Dowie, WG's scond wife....my G G Grandfather was Robert WG's fifth son.

06/22/2012

Amesbury and Merrimac, MA exhibit of carriages at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. Thank you to historian Royal Feltner for his complete website of collected information and rare photos at http://www.amesburycity.com/carriagemakers.htm

06/21/2012

Ode to Amesbury's carriage and automobile manufacturing past at the new Transportation Center; steps from former carriage-making buildings in the Lower Millyard.

06/18/2012

Kona Ice

We've got 10 vendors signed up for day 2 of the Fest, Sun. July 1st, including Kona-Ice - shaved ice with a Caribbean flair and several exotic, self-serve flavors! Cherry-Limeade anyone? http://www.kona-ice.com/

06/17/2012

Can anyone order this weather for 2 weeks from today?

06/13/2012

This amber toned, natural stone bead necklace with matching earring set was graciously donated by Nancy at Riverwalk Bead Shop & Gallery for our June 30th silent auction – one of many great items to bid on while enjoying good food and music. Do you have your tickets yet?

06/11/2012

Very happy to report MIG Photography will be shooting day 2 of the Festival, July 1st. Photographer Tollen Ann Thurber does a great job with both candid shots and classic portraits: http://www.moments-in-grace-photography.com/

06/10/2012

Timeline Photos

06/08/2012

Latest News Bulletins

Some recent press on the Festival: http://newscenter.equinesite.net/index.php

EquineSite.com News Center - local horse news, show results and press releases

06/05/2012

Had to share this - besides owning some of the most beautiful carriages and horses in the world, the lady can ride!

She maybe the Queen of England and celebrating her Diamonds Jubilee, but she is a horsewomen and a Seasoned Rider too who is still riding.

06/02/2012

Only 4 weeks until the Amesbury Carriage Festival day 1 Bluegrass, Brew & BBQ, Sat. June 30th, 6:00 PM! Don't forget to get your tickets online via link at http://amesburycarriagefest.com/. Great live music, food and local craft beer in the indoor arena amid antique carriage displays!

05/30/2012

Thanks go out to the Amesbury Golf & Country Club for donating 2 gift certificates - each for 2 rounds of 9 holes - to be raffled June 30th during the Bluegrass, Brew & BBQ! Just a sampling of the great raffle and auction items being lined up.

05/25/2012

The latest restoration project at Bob-Lyn Stables...an antique sulky that was used by Bob's grandfather when he raced Standardbreds.

05/22/2012

D.D. Rapps - Heidi Johnson - will be joining us at the Festival with beautiful "distinctive designs for drivers" apparel.

05/21/2012

Thanks go out to author and publisher Pamela Fenner, Michaelmas Press, for her support of the Festival. Pam will be on hand exhibiting July 1st. For more info., see http://michaelmaspress.com/.

05/20/2012

Whalebone Road Wagon Carriage

Among other wonderful antique carriages on display at the Festival, we'll have a Bailey Whalebone Wagon owned by Bart Bailey there.

"Bailey's Pneumatic Whalebone Road Wagon." S. R. Bailey & Company, Amesbury, MA. Bottom ad is for The Columbus Carriage and Harness Company. Leslies Magazine (May 1904)

05/20/2012

Festival program book going to press this week - schedule, participant info., carriage driver's course map, etc. If anyone would like one mailed to them, send your info. to [email protected]. (Participants and advertisers will be mailed one automatically.)

05/12/2012

Thank you to Bartlett's Farm Stand, Festival flower supplier.

05/12/2012

Timeline Photos

05/10/2012

Robbie Bailey will be taking part in our live Sporting Day of Traditional Driving on July 1st. Here she’s driving a 15 year old Haflinger horse named "Puddy" that both rides, jumps and drives. Notice the Boston Terrier accompanying!

05/07/2012

Barry Berube, Trinity Carriage Shop, writes of this gorgeous piece he restored that will be displayed at the Fest: My carriage is a "Gentleman's Dog cart" painted by Weaver Martin of New Holland, PA. A sporting vehicle, this carriage was used for bird hunting. Note the cage door under the groom's seat,used to hold the hunting dogs. This carriage is equipped with a formal "Imperial box" on top, used for carrying trays that would contain picnic items. Also, this carriage has a full set of leader bars for driving 4 in hand.

05/03/2012

Visited Bart Bailey today, great-great-grandson of S.R. Bailey "Manufactory" founder. Business estab. in 1856 making carriages and later cars. He has some great photos, including this one of an early electric car plugged in and charging. Move over Chevy Volt and others...funny how about 100 years has brought us full circle!

05/02/2012

Timeline Photos

04/30/2012

Amesbury Chair donated this handsome pair of cherry stained bar stools for the June 30th auction - thank you! Plan to attend to bid on items like these plus enjoy a good meal and live music. Items of all kinds are welcome for auction donation - another great way to show your support.

04/22/2012

Can't wait to see the final as a poster!

Just finishing up the detail on this poster design...

04/19/2012

Thank you to Terrance Gleason, Greenery Designs in Amesbury, for his support of Amesbury Carriage Festival!

04/18/2012

Timeline Photos

04/18/2012

Timeline Photos

04/14/2012

Bob-Lyn Stables entry-in-the-making for "restored vehicle" at the Festival. All are welcome to enter carriages for expert evaluation and display.

04/13/2012

Thank you to Dawn, Peter and Netta of Starbird Jewelers, an Amesbury family business since 1961, for donating a $75 gift card to be raffled or auctioned at our Bluegrass, Brew & BBQ fundraiser June 30th!

04/03/2012

Artful Dodger put to a Governess cart. This is a 2 wheeled vehicle sometimes referred to as a Bucket cart due to its shape. Notice the inward-facing seats. It was typically used by a Governess (Nanny) to transport children, being safer for them in that driver and passengers enter the cart from the back, clear of the wheels.

03/28/2012

The Carriage Barn is offering a Kids Driving Clinic - week #1, July 16th through 20th. For students ages “Under 10” and “10 & Up”, Beginner & Intermediate; no previous experience required. Driving instruction each day. Space is limited. Parental supervision not required. Contact [email protected] for details.

03/24/2012

Big Thanks to R.C. Briggs Insurance Agency, Amesbury for their program advertisement support! (www.rcbriggsins.com). "Reliable Insurance Since 1866".

03/20/2012

Barnum & Bailey are back! See them at the Amesbury Carriage Festival.

03/18/2012

Festival poster and program booklet cover coming soon. Gretchen's original piece will be auctioned at our June 30th fundraiser.

this is part of the Amesbury Carriage Festival poster design...sketch was approved, now working on the final design...