Pet Parade to make a full return, but now it happens in June

The Pet Parade, long a beloved Olympia tradition, is back.

The parade — in which costumed children and their dressed-up dogs, cats, birds, etc., show off both cuteness and creativity – will happen June 24 as part of the Olympia Downtown Alliance’s LoveOly SummerFest.

This will be the first full Pet Parade since the pandemic began and the first one since the Olympian handed over the traditional event to the Hands On Children’s Museum.

“I’m thrilled it’s back,” said Melissa Jenkins of the Olympian, which hosted the parade from 1939 to 2019. “I’m so excited to go.

“It was a really fun, joyful occasion,” said Jenkins, who emceed the event from 2015 to 2019. “I just loved how quirky and different it was. Not every community has a pet parade.”

Speaking of different, the museum has made quite a few changes to the parade.

“It’s a new world, and we’re trying to navigate in it,” said Beth Garson, the museum’s communications manager. “We want to honor this beloved event, but it will be different this year than it has been in years past.”

This year, there’ll be no bikes, no floats, no horses and no llamas — all changes made necessary by the parade route, which will include sidewalks along Capitol Way. Some wheels are still welcome, in the form of strollers, tricycles and wheelchairs.

Only “household pets” are invited this year. As always, the animals need to be well-behaved, and their humans need to pick up after them — a task that will be made easier by the absence of horses and the like.

Another big change: There also won’t be any judges.

“The new version of the Pet Parade is designed around the museum’s core belief that the process of creativity is much more important than the result,” Garson told The Olympian. “Everyone who participates is a winner.”

Instead of judging entries, the museum will hold a free raffle so there will be still be prizes in most of the traditional categories — big dogs, small dogs, pets, impersonations and wheels. Each parade participant also will receive a 2-for-1 coupon for museum admission.

Though the best ones won’t be acknowledged, costumes are a still a key part of the parade. The museum is hosting “Paw-esome Costumes” sessions all month long.

The museum also is hosting animal-themed activities — including making accessories to wear in the parade and learning about animal tracks — all weekend long at SummerFest, which now stretches over three days.

“We’re really excited to be part of LoveOly SummerFest,” Garson said. “The parade was traditionally in August before. It’s now part of the kick-off to summer.”

Pet Parade details

What: Pets and kids are at the center of the 91st parade, now a collaboration between the Olympia Downtown Alliance’s LoveOly SummerFest and the Hands On Children’s Museum.

When: 11:30 a.m. June 24; participants will gather at 11.

Where: Participants will meet at Fifth Avenue and Washington Street in downtown Olympia, and the parade will proceed to Seventh Avenue, circle Sylvester Park, 615 Washington St. SE., and return to the start. The parade will be on the sidewalk along Capitol Way, which won’t be closed to traffic.

Registration: Sign up online or in person at the start of the parade.

Rules: The parade is open only to people 16 and younger and household pets. (Unlike in past years, horses, llamas, etc., are not permitted.) Animals must be under control at all times and must be comfortable around other animals and crowds. Participants must follow the parade route, which includes sidewalks, and must pick up after their pets.

Vehicle rules: Small-wheeled vehicles such as wagons, tricycles and strollers are allowed for transporting young children or pets. Wheelchairs and other mobility aids are welcome. No motorized or battery-operated vehicles are allowed, except mobility aids. No bicycles, skateboards or scooters are allowed.

More information: https://www.hocm.org/events-programs/loveoly-summerfest-pet-parade-2023/

LoveOly SummerFest

What: The Olympia Downtown Alliance kicks off summer with a three-day version of its popular summer festival featuring music, children’s activities, vendors and more.

When: June 23-25

Where: Fifth Avenue and Washington Street, Olympia

More information: https://downtownolympia.org/Events/LoveOly-SummerFest