Pampered pets, pals on display

ROLF BOONE; Staff writer

OLYMPIA - Dog noses were upturned and heads were held high for Saturday's 81st annual Pet Parade, an hour-long march through downtown streets that started at Heritage Park and ended at Sylvester Park.

Thousands lined the parade route, and thousands of pets and children joined the parade, gathering at Heritage Park in time for the 10 a.m. start. This year’s parade theme was “Once Upon a Time.”

Some joined the parade with just their pet, some dressed themselves and their pet in costume, and some took their appearance in the parade to new heights, complete with costumes, makeup and props.

Vivian Glass, 12, of Olympia came dressed as heavy-metal rocker Ozzy Osbourne’s wife, Sharon. On her lap sat Pookie, an Australian silky terrier wearing Ozzy Osbourne-style glasses and hair extensions. Both were seated on a miniature stage that was pushed through the parade by her father and brother. They were dressed in black; Vivian referred to them as her “security.”

Not to be outdone, the brother-and-sister team of Alec and Danielle Audet of Olympia came dressed in scuba diving suits inspired by the Jules Verne story “20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.” With them were their two dachshunds: Pepper, dressed as a shark, and Charlie, dressed as a lobster. They also pulled an underwater treasure chest during the parade.

Rosalyn Tobeck, 7, of Littlerock rode a parade float inspired by the cartoon SpongeBob SquarePants. While she sat and waved to the crowd, her mother, Cindy, pulled the float with one hand and showed off a “Krabby patty” in the other. Inside the patty, with its tiny head poking out, was Trd, the family turtle. Also on the float next to Rosalyn was Angel, a basset hound with those unmistakable long, floppy ears. As Rosalyn waved to the crowd, Angel looked on with stoic pride.

Cindy Tobeck said the pet parade was the perfect end to summer.

“This is our last hurrah before school starts,” she said.

Roy Pratt of Tenino and his family came to see the parade. This time, his granddaughter came to watch after participating in the parade one year, he said. Pratt said he comes to watch the parade for the pets and children.

“This is one of the best parades,” he said.

Kelley McGearey of Olympia came to watch her son and their dog, Frosty. Her son Corbin, dressed as Uncle Sam. Although Corbin was eager for the parade to start, Frosty, a Jack Russell/dachshund, also known as a “Jack-weenie,” was a little nervous, she said.

“I’m glad it still goes on,” McGearey said about the parade. “We’ve watched it for 20 years, and we’ll watch it for another 20 years. I can’t imagine a summer without Pet Parade.”

Those in the parade were judged in six categories: Big dogs, floats, small dogs, impersonations, wheels and pets. The Pet Parade is open to all children 16 and younger.

Rolf Boone: 360-754-5403 rboone@theolympian.com www.theolympian.com/bizblog

Pet Parade Honorees

GRAND PRIZE

 • Dixson/Honeysett cousins of Lacey

 • Emma Gordham of Olympia

 • McManus/Gerdts family of Olympia

 • Gabby Charneski of Olympia

 • Sidney Hughes of Olympia

Small dogs

 • Allyson Reynolds of Olympia

 • Brooke Hicks of Olympia

 • Lorraine Manning of Olympia

 • Deborah Morris of Olympia

 • Anna Grace of Lacey

 • David Kuhn of Tumwater

Impersonations

 • Michaela Renick of Olympia

 • Allison, Jonathan, Julia and Natalie Holder; Gaby Sipe and Brenna Carlson of Olympia

 • The Holterman family of Olympia

 • Anna and Maxine Nacht of Pe Ell

 • Ward, Vivian and Lochlan Glass of Olympia

 • Sophia Vernon of Olympia

Floats

 • Sherie Miller of Olympia

 • David Stagnone of Tumwater

 • Rosalyn Tobeck of Olympia

 • Amy Henkle of Lacey

 • Juneau and Parker Miller of Lacey

 • Sara Juchens of Auburn

Pets

 • Kaylee, Jesse and Josiah Ervin of Rochester

 • Ellie Madden of Olympia

 • Joel Reichelderfer of Olympia

 • Max Nelson and Vincent Strand of Olympia

 • Danica, Emily, Lorena Marini of Tumwater

 • Stephanie Holter of Shelton

Big Dogs

 • Gabriela Skol, Austin Gabrielse, Jacob Strader, Tristan Skol, Blueberry Harmell of Olympia

 • Mia and Noa Niles of Olympia

 • Jennifer Addison, Harley Olson of Olympia

 • Gabby and Bella Charneski of Olympia

 • Callen and Camden Ryan of Chehalis

 • Riley and Gabe Wilson, Kayla Eyles, Taylin and Makai Duran of Olympia

Wheels

 • Kaiden, CJ, Jojean, Marah and Samantha Booth of Olympia

 • Ashley Phelps, Stephen Phelps and Amerika Jones of Rochester

 • Ashlynn and Catie McFarland of Olympia

 • Kellen, Ashlyn and Avery Morgan of Tumwater

 • Olivia Backman, Olivia and Nathan Francis, Abbey Anderson of Olympia

 • Aurora Motz of Olympia