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Published on 05/19/1999 All articles from this issue

Local pet pride shows

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By Clyde Noel

Special to the Town Crier

Parade highlights busy downtown weekend filled with arts, entertainment

The annual pet parade is so ensconced in Los Altos tradition that Kiwanis Club members could get away with not telling anybody about their event and hundreds of fun-loving pets and people would still show up.

The usual horde of boisterous, nontraditional marchers, animals in funky costumes and their human companions stomped down Main and State streets Saturday for the 52nd year.

Parade officials estimated more than 3,000 pets and people marched in the parade. Animal participants ranged from dogs (including a gathering of greyhounds), cats and horses to parakeets, and even garden snails.

Bill Parkhurst and Amy Wright of Los Altos came with their two daughters.

"It's so easy to come downtown, we wouldn't miss it. We love the dogs and my 3-year-old wants to ride on a camel or a zebra," Parkhurst said. "Do you think she can?"

The pet parade is part of the Los Altos Mayfest celebration, which also included the Rotary Club's Fine Art in the Park show both Saturday and Sunday, and a Sertoma (Service To Mankind) Club pancake breakfast, also held both days.

Kiwanian Walter Chronert, official parade announcer, said he has attended more than 40 pet parades and has seen different generations of family members attend the parade through the years.

"The Kiwanis Christmas tree lot at Loyola Corners provides the money to put on this parade," Chronert said.

Parade staging is arranged in the downtown plaza parking lots, where parents and kids put the final touches on their pets, and band members use charcoal to draw cat whiskers on their faces.

Dave Gulick of Los Altos Hills said he comes every year. He stood in front of the Italian Deli on Main Street to watch the parade.

"Of all the years I've attended this parade, I have never seen a dog fight. They are on their best behavior," Gulick said. "Oops, there's one right now. Only small dogs yapping at each other."

Dora Thordarson said she comes every year and she brought her grandchildren. They wanted to see horses and dogs. Grandchild Elise, 7, looked for golden retrievers.

The pet parade even had its own band this year, a group of Los Altos High and Egan Intermediate band members in cat whiskers and denim cut-offs.

The Los Trancos Woods Community Marching Band, led by the flute playing, loinclothed Ptah, celebrated nonconformist attire and New Orleans music with two trips around Main and State streets.

Ye Olde Towne Band returned, tooting jazz tunes while its motorized float traveled the parade route.

The parade is a big showcase for the local primary schools. Loyola, Bullis-Purissima, Springer, Almond and Santa Rita schools all were represented.

Julie Chovanec, of Palo Alto, watched her first pet parade. She looked for wildly dressed animals. "You know, dogs in funny hats, dachshunds that look like hot dogs, bunnies in clothing. That's fun, that's why I come."

Following the parade, which lasted less than an hour, some participants were invited to the Community Plaza to compete in the annual pet parade contest, sponsored by the Town Crier.

First place for best overall, a $100 gift certificate from Adobe Animal Hospital in Los Altos, went to the "Covered Chicken Wagon," featuring Pocahantis the chicken, and owners, Hanna and Bjorn Lauritzen.

Second Place for best overall went to "Bunnies Garden," featuring Thumper and Jumper the bunnies, and owners Katie and Kin Chansler. They won a $75 gift certificate from Altos Animal Hospital on First Street in Los Altos.

For the most creative entry, a $50 gift certificate from Miramonte Veterinary Hospital in Mountain View, was awarded to Beth Alexander and Kristin Beardsley, Loyola fourth graders, for "Aliens From Outer Space," featuring Floppity the rabbit.

The most unusual went to a garden snail family, presented by David and Ariana Recht of Los Altos. "We lost grandpa along the way," said their dad. The winners drew a $30 gift certificate from the Barking Lot, on First Street in Los Altos.

The best pet and owner look-alike prize went to Dori Beezley with Mai Tai, whom she called "the world's ugliest dog." Beezley and Mai Tai received a $30 gift certificate from Kindness Pet Hospital on First Street in Los Altos.

Judges for this year's pet parade were Town Crier editor Bruce Barton, schools reporter Linda Taaffe, circulation manager Howard Bischoff and writer Clyde Noel.