2011 Pet Parade

BURLINGAME, Calif. – More than 1,000 people gathered for the eighth annual Burlingame Pet Parade on Saturday, September 24, 2011. Featured pets were Dusty the Klepto Kitty, who has stolen 650 items from his neighbors in San Mateo; Diggs, the parade’s Grand Marshal, who is a mixed breed Labrador belonging to a recent veteran of Afghanistan; and Baer, a K-9 who works for the Burlingame Police Department with Officer Kevin Thorpe.

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Sponsors

The parade was sponsored by the Broadway Merchants Association, the Peninsula Humane Society/SPCA, Pet Food Express and the Daily Journal.

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Judges

• Lisa Van Buskirk, VP of Development and Planned Giving, Peninsula Humane Society/SPCA

• Jerry Lee, publisher, Daily Journal

• Diane Dwyer of Pet Food Express

• Ross Bruce, president of the Broadway Merchants Association

 

Winners

GRAND PRIZE WINNER – The judges awarded the Grand Prize to “Fairy Dog Mother” Barbara Kelsey of Burlingame, who wore a fairy costume with wings and was accompanied by her dog Sophie, who was dressed as a butterfly. Barbara received a professional pet portrait valued at $450 from Pet Food Express.

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MOST UNUSUAL PET – Two tiny mice, Coco and Sweet Pea, won this category with their owners, 9-year-old Seraphee and 7-year-old Sebastien Beaulaurier of Burlingame. The two mice traveled in a tiny train car.

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BEST DRESSED PET – Elaine Lam of San Mateo’s disabled dog, Lil Oscar, was named Best Dressed Pet for his Giants fan costume and stagecoach.

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MOST UNUSUAL FLOAT OR GROUP – The Raul Ramirez family of Hayward and friends won this award with their float “Spring Dog,” which featured a 4-year-old Cockapoo, Lana, dressed as a butterfly and riding in a wagon festooned with flowers and greenery.

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BEST PET TRICK – Hilary Nelson’s 11-month-old Tibetan terrier, Milo, won for obeying her commands to sit and do a “high five.” Hilary lives in Burlingame.

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Entertainment

Carrying the American flag at the beginning of the parade was Kate Rose Keighran.

The families marching at the front of the parade were affiliated with Peninsula Temple Sholom Preschool.

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Participants marched to music provided by the Burlingame High School Band and the Los Trancos Woods Community Marching Band.

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The San Mateo Elks Concert performed for the crowd before and after the parade.

Parade commentary was provided by Stephen Hamilton and assisted by Emily Williams & Diana Daniels.

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JoAnn Deal helped children create animal wind socks, while Sue Ferries of Art Attack invited children to paint animal watercolors and offered face painting.

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The Peninsula Humane Society had its mobile spay-neuter van and adoption van on display.

The Broadway Grill invited people to “Dine With Your Dog” at tables outside, Paris-style, while Preston’s Candy and Ice Cream offered free chocolate tours.

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Volunteers

Special thanks to the hardworking members of Burlingame Parade Steering Committee, who organized the parade:

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• Brian Probst of the Peninsula Humane Society

• Ross Bruce of the Broadway Merchants Association

• Mayor Terry Nagel

• Councilwoman Ann Keighran

• Stephen and Fiona Hamilton

• Rudy Horak

• Muffie Calbreath

 

In addition we want to thank:

• Mark Hundley, for serving as the official parade photographer.

• Jennifer Pfaff, for distributing flyers to many schools and preschools

• The many fine volunteers from the Peninsula Humane Society