Here’s how to get a horse-drawn carriage ride in downtown Macon

Amid the twinkle of downtown Christmas lights, you can hear the clip-clop of horses’ hooves.

Most often it will be Cecil’s hooves as he pulls carriages full of folks enjoying the lights, music and festive atmosphere of Main Street Christmas Light Extravaganza, but occasionally Clyde takes his place.

The two equines are part of Raines Carriage Rides of Roberta and you may have seen them giving rides to others and wondered how to go yourself.

Here’s how:

“If you’re interested in riding, just come down around the water fountain at Dunlap Park at Third and Cherry,” said Kidada Raines. Raines will likely be the one putting your name on a waiting list if there’s a wait — first come, first served, no reservations taken — and she’ll be taking cash or card for rides.

Raines said rides are $10 per adult and $5 for kids 5 to 12 with an extra $1 charge if you use credit or debit.

“People have a good time,” she said. “It’s real enjoyable getting to see the lights this way and people are always thanking us and telling us how lovely it was and how glad they are they did it.”

Raines agreed the carriage rides are about as close as anyone’s likely to get to a jingle bell sleigh ride in Middle Georgia this year. She said rides last 10 to 15 minutes, depending on traffic, and go from the Third and Cherry departure down Third Street, then along a portion of Poplar Street, then back.

She said to be sure to dress for the weather but that there are blankets and such available in the carriage if needed.

She said she prefers people not to bring apples or carrots or feed the horses otherwise but that a little petting is fine. She said Cecil and Clyde are the friendly sort.

“We love our horses and take good care of them,” she said. “It’s just usually best they don’t get fed like that.”

Raines said the same rules usually apply when they supply carriage rides for weddings and other events.

Carriage Rides under the Lights is part of the free Main Street Christmas Light Extravaganza under way now through Jan. 3. The display features more than 500,000 lights along the Poplar Street median and part of Third Street adorning trees, bushes and created structures and timed to music recorded by Macon Pops. Lights are on continuously from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. with the recorded musical presentations beginning on the hour at 6, 7, 8 and 9 p.m.

Emily Hopkins, one of the event’s organizers with Main Street Macon/Newtown Macon, called the rides “enchanting.”

“We wanted to add the horse drawn carriage rides because they’re so fitting for the holiday season,” she said. “Raines Carriages was recommended by the Cherry Blossom Festival who use them and it’s so delightful riding among the cherry blossoms we knew it would be enchanting riding downtown under the lights. Everybody loves the lights but it seems the thing that gets the most questions and comments on Facebook is the carriage rides.”

Contact Michael W. Pannell at mwpannell@gmail.com.

Carriage Rides under the Lights!

Where: Depart from Dunlap Park at Third and Cherry Streets

When: 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Dec. 6-8, 13-15 & 20-22

Cost: Adults $10, children 5-12 $5

Information: www.mainstreetmaconchristmas.org