By Andrea Hirsch/For The Lebanon Reporter
Zionsville — The start of a new tradition is coming to Zionsville’s Brick Street this weekend that will surely be a “barking” good time.
The Zionsville Merchants’ Association is presenting the Inaugural Zionsville Pet Parade on Sunday, June 21, starting at The Sanctuary, 75 N. Main St.
June is considered “Pet Friendly” month in Zionsville and there is no better way to celebrate than to have a pet parade, said Serenity owner Karin Glass.
Glass has a summer home in Seattle, which hosts a summer pet parade that attracts more than 2,400 people. She thought it would be the perfect event for Zionsville.
“It’s just a fun environment and something nice to do, especially for Father’s Day or if you always wanted to be in a parade,” Glass said. “It’s a once in a lifetime experience to march down Main Street with your pet because people really like to show off their pets.”
Glass said she has approximately 50 different groups signed up to march down Main Street — including the Humane Society for Boone County, Zionsville Dance Troop, a man with African Frogs and the Miss Indiana crew — and she is looking for more.
The event will kickoff at 12:30 p.m. at The Sanctuary for lineup. At 1 p.m. the parade will begin at The Sanctuary and will head south to a tent located on the parking lot on the corner of Main and Hawthorne streets. Prizes will be awarded for most creative pet entry, best costumed pet and presenter, best float or wagon presentation, most creative entry from a neighborhood, special prize for the most creative toy pet and best group presentation of three or more pets. Surprise “celebrity” judges will pick the winners. Winners in each category will receive a trophy and honorable mentions will receive a gift certificate from different merchants.
The cost is free to sign up, free to watch and is welcome to live or stuffed pets.
“I am looking forward to seeing the little kids get excited and having people cheer for them with their pets,” Glass said. “The look on the kid’s faces is very special and is something they will remember which is really important. I hope this becomes a tradition.”
Visit www.zionsville.net for more information. The Humane Society of Boone County will be bringing their “Adopt a Pet” canine friends to the parade and will have information available at the party tent at the end of the parade route.
