By Mindy Ragan Wood
Staff Writer
OKARCHE – If you cannot live the fantasy of a Disney fairytale, the next best thing is to use props.
A carriage ride service featuring a Cinderella-style horse drawn carriage will be available on Fridays and Saturdays beginning Feb. 15.
Town board members approved the permit request for Moore’s Carriages, an Oklahoma City-based company that is well known for carriage rides in the busy Bricktown district of Oklahoma City.
Owner Nick Moore said despite his age, the business is something he loves.
“I’m 69, but I’m a strong person and I’ve stayed as busy as I could. I love doing carriage rides because I enjoy meeting new people,” Moore said.
Moore has a $10 million liability policy, but so far he hasn’t had to use it.
“I’ve got an impeccable driving record,” he said.
Moore plans to park on Oklahoma Avenue in front of the post office and take his riders west to the high school and back near Holy Trinity Church before ending at the post office. Town board members discussed the possible traffic concerns along the busy State Highway 81 and Oklahoma Avenue, but Moore said he is used to traffic and pays close attention to congestion and safety issues.
“If it happens that there’s a lot of traffic, I can adjust it (the route) and staff off the highway,” Moore said. “If someone asks me about the route and wants to go a different way, then I can do that. I can go down residential streets. It’s not a problem for me.”
Rides are $35 for 15 minutes and $65 for 30 minutes, but Moore offers a $5 discount to teachers and military personnel. He accepts cash and credit card payment through Square Up.
The hours will be Friday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Anyone who is interested in a carriage ride should call ahead to insure availability at 405-406-0824 as the service is sometimes booked out of town and for private parties.
