Happy St Patrick's Day

In celebrating St. Patrick Day, the annual Las Vegas Valley Firefighters St. Patrick's Day Parade and Fun Challenge was held at the Downtown Las Vegas Events Center (DLVEC) today.

The parade started at the Main Street Stage at noon. Led by Grand Marshal Terry Murphy, Honorary Irish Consul to Nevada, uniformed firefighters, honor guards, bagpipers and step dancers made its way along the Fremont Street under the Viva Vision canopy. Then the Firefighter Fun Challenge took place between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. where firefighter teams from around the country competed in a tricycle race, wheel barrel race, midnight equipment run, tug of war, hose bowling and garden hose efficiency contest. winners would donate their prize money to the charities of their choices.

Outgoing postcard US-3263675 to Hong Kong shows a vintage "Horse and Cart" poster "Lovely day for a Guinness", one of the most popular of all the Guinness beer advertisements, circa 1949, by artist John Gilroy. 

Step dancers perform at the Las Vegas Valley Firefighters St. Patrick's Day Parade.

National Finals Rodeo Celebrates 30th Anniversary

In the past 30 years since 1985, more than 1 million cowboys and cowgirls and their friends have invaded Las Vegas during the pre-Christmas periods for the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo that has sold out 280 consecutive performances at the Thomas & Mack arena. Last year, the total attendance was over 176,000 with almost 90-million-dollar non-gaming economic impact to the city. In 2014, the competitions run from December 4 through December 13, along with Cowboy Christmas Gift Show and Cowboy Fan Fest at Las Vegas Convention Center’s North Halls.

Postcard US-2168978 to Germany was part of the postcard book Western Horseman purchased at the Cowboy Christmas Gift Show during the National Finals Rodeo in 2012. It shows the magazine's October 1950 cover and brings to mind Western heroines of that era. Barbara Stock, a Colorado University student and aspiring young horsewoman was photographed by frequent contributor Clarence Coil. Barbara Stock, who competed in local horse shows and rodeos, appears with her favorite Pinto mount at a ranch near Colorado Springs.

2014 Cowboy Christmas Gift Show

Spanish Style Building at the Western Horseman HQ

Postcard US-2869219 to the Netherlands shows the January 1955 Western Horseman magazine cover, featuring the historic Spanish-style building in Colorado Springs that was the home of Western Horseman for nearly 62 years. According to the description on the back of the postcard, employees often rode their horses to work and stabled them in the barn located on the property, back in those good old days. The price for each copy was 35 cents in 1955.

Horses for Courses

Another Chinese New Year themed postcard from Singapore yesterday, exactly one year after receiving the "Snakes and Ladders" postcard. "Horses for Courses" is the latest annual exhibition opened at the beginning of every Chinese New Year by the Singaporean Philatelic Museum. For the Year of the Horse, it explores the history and development of horses from the early wild years to present day’s highly selective breeds.

As the horse’s path parallels man’s civilization, horses had a special place in the postal history as well. Letters and parcels were delivered by post men on horseback or drawn carriages. Through philatelic materials and objects, "Horses for Courses" takes visitors on a journey discovering the myths, legends, art and hobby to reveal the importance of this noble and strong creature.

The exhibition runs from January 31 to August 26, 2014. if you have a horse-themed postcard, you can send it to:

Singapore Philatelic Museum
23-B Coleman Street
Singapore 179807
Singapore

Make sure to include your return address. The museum will send a postcard back.