A time-honored tradition in the Arlington community
2023-08-08
When you think of Texas, the image of cowboys on horseback herding cattle on a wide prairie likely comes to mind — and that’s not too far from the truth for the team members at General Motors’ Arlington Assembly plant who form the GM UAW Riding Team. Located deep in the heart of Texas, the team has saddled up for over 34 years, opening various local parades and events, which have now become a time-honored tradition in the local community.
Riding since 1989
The GM UAW Riding Team first formed in 1989, when a group of employees were looking for a way to promote what the plant built and how it could be tied into “life in Texas.” Naturally the employees found themselves discussing important events in the local community — rodeos, horseback riding and the local stockyard events.
“The parades we ride in are staples of life here,” said Brenda Huskey, team leader at Arlington Assembly. “They are events that families go to and bring the kids. It’s something a lot of us grew up going to.
Their first ride together was the Fort Worth Stock Show parade, something that is a staple of the local community and draws visitors from far and wide. It’s an embodiment of Texas – cowboys and girls, livestock auctions, bull riding tournaments and horse shows. The parade doesn’t allow motorized vehicles, only horses, wagons and stagecoaches. Not only did the employees enjoy themselves, but they found it was a chance to represent the plant and the teams to the local community.
“It was the perfect way to promote what we do to the local community,” said Huskey. “A lot of people would drive by the plant everyday with no idea what we do here.”
Making an impact in their communities
After 34 years, the group is now a staple of many local parades and cattle drives and are something families expect to see at these events. As the banner carriers in the July 4th parade, they take full advantage of the opportunity to promote not only the products they build, but also the team behind them.
“Along the parade route we have a chance to talk to parade bystanders and reporters about what our plant does,” Huskey added. “We love to tell them their Cadillac Escalade they love so much is built1 right here in Arlington.”
The team has even gone beyond their typical parades and stock shows and made appearances at local events for Autism awareness and celebrating Juneteenth. The group has become a pillar in the local community, and they hope to continue to hold this status for years to come.
Arlington Assembly currently builds GM’s line of full-size SUVs, including the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade.
When you think of Texas, the image of cowboys on horseback herding cattle on a wide prairie likely comes to mind — and that’s not too far from the truth for the team members at General Motors’ Arlington Assembly plant who form the GM UAW Riding Team. Located deep in the heart of Texas, the team has saddled up for over 34 years, opening various local parades and events, which have now become a time-honored tradition in the local community.
Riding since 1989
The GM UAW Riding Team first formed in 1989, when a group of employees were looking for a way to promote what the plant built and how it could be tied into “life in Texas.” Naturally the employees found themselves discussing important events in the local community — rodeos, horseback riding and the local stockyard events.
“The parades we ride in are staples of life here,” said Brenda Huskey, team leader at Arlington Assembly. “They are events that families go to and bring the kids. It’s something a lot of us grew up going to.
Their first ride together was the Fort Worth Stock Show parade, something that is a staple of the local community and draws visitors from far and wide. It’s an embodiment of Texas – cowboys and girls, livestock auctions, bull riding tournaments and horse shows. The parade doesn’t allow motorized vehicles, only horses, wagons and stagecoaches. Not only did the employees enjoy themselves, but they found it was a chance to represent the plant and the teams to the local community.
“It was the perfect way to promote what we do to the local community,” said Huskey. “A lot of people would drive by the plant everyday with no idea what we do here.”
Making an impact in their communities
After 34 years, the group is now a staple of many local parades and cattle drives and are something families expect to see at these events. As the banner carriers in the July 4th parade, they take full advantage of the opportunity to promote not only the products they build, but also the team behind them.
“Along the parade route we have a chance to talk to parade bystanders and reporters about what our plant does,” Huskey added. “We love to tell them their Cadillac Escalade they love so much is built right here in Arlington.”
The team has even gone beyond their typical parades and stock shows and made appearances at local events for Autism awareness and celebrating Juneteenth. The group has become a pillar in the local community, and they hope to continue to hold this status for years to come.
Arlington Assembly currently builds GM’s line of full-size SUVs, including the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade.
