By Town Crier Staff Report

In a world of flip-flopping economies and receding hairlines, it is a consolation to know that some things never change. The time-weathered Kiwanis Pet Parade, perhaps Los Altos’ best-loved tradition, is one of them.

Like clockwork, the parade is set to get under way at its usual time, 10 a.m., Saturday. The parade begins at First Street and circles around Main and State streets before ending, approximately 50 minutes later, with a group of prancing horses and city street sweepers wiping clean any potential pet messes.

Los Altos may be a part of Silicon Valley, but the parade, with its Americana spirit, recalls the valley’s days of old, when kids hauled pet rabbits in chicken wire cages and Radio Flyer wagons down Main Street amid farmhouses and peach orchards. The parade is in its 55th year, having started in 1947 as a combined effort by the Mountain View and Los Altos Kiwanis clubs.

“To me, it reminds me of a small town - one of the few things we can do where we can get involved as a town,” said Walter Chronert, this year’s grand marshal and a Kiwanis participant in the parade some 30 years. “It really hasn’t changed all that much, because kids are still kids and they have their pets.”

Chronert said the main difference between his early parade years and now is the increased participation among parents.

The parade’s entries range from schools and Scout groups to bands.

In addition, a number of vintage cars carrying dignitaries will be showcased, such as Walter Walczak’s 1960 Pontiac, Mario Tarigo’s 1955 Olds 98 Starfire, O.D. Peterson’s 1961 Lincoln, Bob Mabe’s 1959 Thunderbird, Tom Johannson’s 1967 BMW and Marc Hynes’ 1955 Chevrolet.

To participate in this year’s parade, fax your entry to parade organizer Ken Kaye at 949-5024, or show up one hour prior to the parade, 9 a.m., in the parking lot at Nielsen’s Martinizing Dry Cleaning on First Street near the Main Street intersection.

The Town Crier will award prizes for best overall participants, most creative and unusual entries, and best pet and owner look-alikes.