Get out your doggie bowties: Pet Parade set for Saturday

The Los Altos Kiwanis Pet Parade, now in its 59th year, is slated for a 10 a.m. start Saturday in downtown Los Altos.

For the 59th year, dogs, horses and a wide range of other animals are expected to trundle down Main and State streets in Los Altos’ annual Kiwanis Pet Parade, 10 a.m. Saturday.

The parade, which begins at First and Main, will feature Rich Fischer, Mountain View-Los Altos Union High School District superintendent, as grand marshal. He will ride in a vintage car driven by Bob Mabe, organizer of classic car shows at the chamber of commerce’s annual Fall Festival.

Fischer is retiring at the end of June after serving nearly 10 years in the district.

Parade coordinator Melinda Ray of the Los Altos Kiwanis Club said the parade usually includes strong representation from local schools. City and school leaders also generally appear, including Los Altos and Los Altos Hills council members, and Los Altos School District officials.

Loyola K Kids, Society Dog, Bullis Charter School, the Santa Clara County Fire Department and Greyhound Friends for Life have signed up for the parade. The Los Altos main library also will be represented by “Curious George.”

As is traditional, Ye Olde Towne Band will play such favorites as “How Much Is That Doggie in the Window?” while riding on their float.

“I hope that families come out and have fun,” Ray said. “It’s a favorite community event.”

Immediately following the parade, the Los Altos Town Crier will hold its annual pet parade contest in the Community Plaza, corner of Main and State streets. Judges will award prizes for best overall, most unusual/creative and best pet-owner look-alikes, among other possible categories.