By Clyde Noel
 Photo by Monique Schoenfeld, Town Crier |
Town Crier Correspondent
54th annual event is the cat’s meow for hundreds of local families
The annual Los Altos Kiwanis Pet Parade, the feel-good family event that showcases hundreds of pets and people, often in crazy get-up, came to pass Saturday despite the late-morning heat.
The 45-minute social affair along Main and State streets had fewer horses and a shark (Sharkie, the San Jose Sharks’ mascot), but otherwise kept to its 54-year tradition.
Kiwanis members Jack Huston and Walt Chronert have attended every Pet Parade since 1953, and notice fewer people on the sidelines. But the attendance hasn’t dwindled - more people are now walking the parade.
“The Kiwanis Christmas tree lot at Loyola Corners (shopping area) provides the money to put on the Pet Parade,” Chronert said.
By 9:30 a.m., a crowd of pet owners gathered in the North Plaza on First Street in anticipation of a siren from an antique police cruiser, signaling the 10 a.m. start of the parade.
Police officer Kay Iida has attended every parade since 1987. He and 15 other police and reserve officers kept busy once the parade started.
“We’re here for crowd control. We block off the major arteries and protect people from cars,” Iida said.
Capt. John Hughmanick mingled with spectators.
“You get to meet people and interact on a positive level,” Hughmanick said. “This is a positive event for the community and everybody has fun.”
Meanwhile, Police Chief Lucy Carlton, served as parade grand marshal in her last year as chief. Carlton is retiring later this year.
“I’m going to miss this,” she said. “Where else can you get this sense of community? It’s special, just look around and notice how the community enjoys these events.”
The Evans family from Los Altos walked with their pets, “Patches” and “Emmy.” Greg Eger of Los Altos has attended the Pet Parade for the last eight years. This year, they walked with “Barney” and “Bailey,” their pet cocker spaniels.
The parade is the big event of the year for Los Altos Kiwanians, who inherited the parade when the Mountain View-Los Altos Kiwanis Club decided to drop the event. Los Altos members opted to continue the parade and start their own Kiwanis Club.
At the viewers’ stand, Huston and Chronert reminisced about past parades.
“I remember when a goat passed out in the middle of Main Street and everyone became concerned,” Chronert said. “We had an obstetrician in the club by the name of Kirk McGuire, and he went over to the goat and revived him, so the parade could continue.”
Huston said at one time, the club had food booths along Main Street. But one year, a goat went over to a booth and took a mouthful of hot dogs. After that, Kiwanians opted against food booths.
One change this year was limiting the number of horses to 15, after a “spooked horse” incident last year. Members of the Paso Peruvian horse group persuaded officials to allow a few horses to march at the end of this year’s parade. The horses paraded without incident.
There remained plenty of viewing space along city sidewalks, but some spectators came early and marked out their sitting territory.
Alexandria Seriff, 3, from Los Altos, said she wanted to look for greyhounds because they are fast. It was her second year attending. Anthony Paolini, 3, from Los Altos, was looking for Dalmatians. He liked the music from the passing bands. His sister, Ellie, 8, was looking for hamsters and bunnies. Her rabbit, “Mitten,” was at home waiting for her.
Parade officials estimated more than 3,000 pets and people marched in the parade. Animal participants ranged from the familiar dogs and cats, to snakes, snails, parakeets and even crickets.
The parade is a big showcase for local elementary schools. Holding colorful school banners, students marching in groups represented schools that included Loyola, Bullis-Purissima, Springer, Almond and Santa Rita.
Music was provided by Ye Olde Towne Band, tooting jazz tunes in its motorized float. The Los Trancos Marching Band also made its annual appearance, featuring the return of Ptah, the white-bearded, flute player and crowd favorite who had missed the last parade due to illness. Ptah, usually dressed only in a loincloth, appeared with more clothing this year.
Following the pet parade was the annual Pet Parade contest in the Community Plaza sponsored by the Town Crier.
The pets, and their owners, receiving prizes were:
Best overall: “Fire Dog Ted,” a Dalmatian, complete with hand-crafted fire truck, entered by Brett and Alex Carr.
Most creative: “Red Riding Hood and the Very Good Wolf,” featuring Stormy, Karen and Dobbie Squires, and Kim Weden.
Most unusual: “Crickets Are Pets, Too,” featuring Davie Cricket (David Recht) along with Ariana and Bernie Recht.
Best pet-owner look-alike: “Mary Had A Little Lamb,” featuring Rascal and Doris Beezley.
“There were some great entries this year and we wanted to give out more prizes,” said Town Crier Judge Bruce Barton.
Those honorable mentions just missing the cut included:
“Get Along Little Doggie,” featuring Madeline, a Great Dane, and Gertie and Jewels, an Australian shepherd and rotweiler, saddled up as horses. Kristi Ashford and Chris and Suzanne Kasso are the dogs’ owners.
“King Boo,” a white bulldog on a regal throne, presented by Anthony and Nick Saviano.
“Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf in Grandma’s Clothes,” featuring dog Georgia and owners Grace, Reed, Kenzie and Susie Tankersley.
Best overall winners received a $75 certificate from Altos Animal Hospital in Los Altos. Most creative winners received a 6 months’ supply of Advantage Flea treatment, courtesy of Kindness Pet Hospital in Los Altos.
Most unusual winners received a $50 gift certificate from Miramonte Veterinary Hospital in Mountain View. Best pet-owner look-alike winners received a $50 certificate from the Barking Lot in Los Altos.
