Horse-drawn carriage rides turn Fairhaven into a ‘Hallmark town’
Lynden family has been bringing holiday magic to Winterfest for 20 years
Dec. 11, 2024 10:00 p.m.
Tim Cramer, right, steers the horses and carriage down Mill Avenue with his son Jake and his son's girlfriend Lucy Faber on Saturday, Dec. 7. For the last 20 years, Cramer, his family and their draft horses have provided free carriage rides to visitors in Fairhaven and others throughout Whatcom County. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
“What kind of Hallmark town is this?” a visitor gasped as she watched a carriage, drawn by four towering Percheron draft horses, turn the corner on Mill Avenue in Fairhaven on Saturday, Dec. 7 as part of Fairhaven Winterfest.
In rhythm with the jingle bells hanging from their harnesses, Cole, Ryp, Mac and Link’s clip-clopping hooves echoed against the picturesque red brick buildings in the historic neighborhood.
Tim Cramer held the reins, spewing facts about his horses and making his staple Christmas and pirate “dad jokes” to the joy or chagrin of the riders in the back. His two teenage sons sat huddled on the seat next to him, as they’ve spent most Saturdays in December throughout their childhood. His wife, Marissa, waited outside the Fairhaven Village Inn, helping manage the children and adults in line for the next ride, offered for free on Saturdays leading up to Christmas.
“It’s just really good, family-friendly entertainment,” Tim said simply.
Tim — born into a family that always had horses — shares the passion, and challenges, with his children. Avrie, 18, Jake, 16, and Shawn, 13, are now old enough to take the reins (literally).
From their home and stables in Lynden, the family regularly carts their horses around Whatcom County, sharing the joy of draft horses. In December, in addition to Fairhaven, they’re spotted in the Northwest Lighted Parade, outside the Heritage Museum in Lynden, and often through Everson, Sumas and Blaine. Summers are spent at the Deming Log Show and the Northwest Washington Fair, and autumn at the Willetta Farm pumpkin patch.
On a rainy morning, Lucy Faber, Shawn Cramer and Jake Cramer walk down a truck ramp with rags to dry the horses in a public parking lot off Harris Avenue near the Community Boating Center. The family is used to early starts, usually around 7 a.m., to have time to prep the horses, travel from Lynden to Bellingham and unload the horses all before noon. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)Tim Cramer wrangles a bridle onto one of the horses. Cramer estimates that he’s worked with and cared for more than 100 horses since he was a child. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)Cars follow the carriage up Harris Avenue, a street once dominated by horses. Tim and Marissa Cramer said they enjoy touching history, giving visitors a taste of the past. At the Deming Log Show years ago, they gave an elderly woman a ride. “I looked at her. She was right on the edge of crying because that sound of those horses trotting on that gravel road — that clippety-clop sound — brought back childhood memories,” Tim said. “Who knows what was going through her mind, but sounds, tastes, smells can really take you to another place in a hurry.” (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)People line up outside the Fairhaven Village Inn for a carriage ride. The Inn estimates that more than 400 people ride each Saturday the carriage tours around Fairhaven. They began 20 years ago with an invite from the Fairhaven Toy Garden to join on Black Friday. Since then, they’ve become a staple attraction in the Fairhaven Winterfest. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)Jason Sonker as Father Christmas rides the carriage with Carter, 9, and Avery, 7. Father Christmas meets children during Winterfest in the Fairhaven Village Inn’s foyer. When he has a break, he’ll take a ride around town with the kids. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)Tim Cramer sits with his sons. He garnered his passion for the animals from his parents, who owned draft horses. He now shares the work, the hobby and the lifestyle with his own three children — Jake, left, Shawn, center, and Avrie, not pictured. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)From left, Anna Hardesty and her daughters Hailie, 4, and Annika, 7, ride the carriage with Emma, Rachel and Abigail Parine. The Cramers hand out candy canes for riders to enjoy while riding. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)Wearing a matching scarf, Marissa Cramer looks at Tim from the street. The family relies on events and carriage rides to offset the cost of their horses who weigh a ton and eat around 50 pounds of hay a day. The rides are sponsored by the Fairhaven Village Inn, Village Books & Paper Dreams, Ovn Woodfired Pizza, Stones Throw Brewery, Fairhaven Behavioral Health & Wellness and PyroDancers. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)Sloan Collmann, left, and Kailee Hunsberger take selfies with the horses. “Afterwards, they want to go in front of the horses,” Marissa Cramer said about the riders. “They want to take pictures with the horses, and they’re in awe of how big the horses actually are.” (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)Two of the Cramers’ Percherons rest between rides. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)
Catch a ride with the Cramers from noon to 3 p.m.on Saturday, Dec. 14 and Saturday, Dec. 21 in Fairhaven; and from 5–8 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 20 and 1–5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21 at the Lynden Heritage Museum. The rides are offered at no cost. Tim and Marissa Cramer can be contacted through their Facebook page Cramer Classics.
