Pets on Parade
SAXONBURG — Animals of all shapes and sizes were shown off Monday night on Main Street in the pet parade at the annual Saxonburg Fireman's Carnival.
The parade had everything from snakes and rabbits to horses and llamas, with many of the animals dressed in some sort of theme attire. There were dogs dressed as bees, and animals and people dressed like the characters from “The Wizard of Oz.”
Main Street was lined with spectators who all had their own favorite parts of the parade.
Jamie Lampus, a 33-year-old high school English teacher from Saxonburg, has been coming to the pet parade for 30 years. She used to attend the parade with her parents and brothers, and even participated in it with her dogs.
Now she attends with her daughters, who like the more exotic pets.
“We like seeing the exotic animals,” Lampus said. “The stuff you don't usually see, like the lizards and the snakes.”Lampus also said that along with the animals, she likes to see the people from the area who she hasn't seen in a while.There are a couple of reasons why the parade has such a large turnout, but Lampus credits it to the carnival being free that night.Cory Lefever, a 22-year-old paramedic with the Butler Ambulance Service, said that the area is the biggest factor for the parade's popularity.“It's a very rural town with lots of pets,” he said.The pets in the parade competed for nine titles.The best of show award went to Rebekah Aust, 34, of Saxonburg, and her 14-year-old golden retriever named Tody. Tody won best of show in last year's parade as well, but doesn't compete in any other competitions. It took about an hour to get Tody's costume on before the parade.“He was dressed up like Margaritaville,” Aust said. “He was dressed like a beach dog.”The best of show runner up was Kannon Trofimuk, 4, who was in the parade with his pet mouse on his head the whole way.
The most original award went to Lori Montgomery of Cabot, who pulled a litter of Shar-Pei puppies in a red wagon.Most unusual went to Desiree Young of Cabot and her fluffy chickens, and best groomed went to Carissa Chilcott of Butler and her horse.Emma Jarvis, a 5-year-old from Butler, and her pony won prettiest in show, and the smallest in show was won by Christopher Traggiai of Boyers and his baby chicks.The award for the person who traveled the furthest distance was won by Karen Feathers, a 54-year-old who came from Roseville, Calif., with her 7-year-old long haired Chihuahua Papillon mix named Trixie.While Feathers didn't come all the way to Saxonburg just for the pet parade, she did enjoy her time there.“I had so much fun tonight,” Feathers said. “It was great.”Feathers is visiting her aunt and cousin who live in the area, and she is looking forward to making another visit next year.“I definitely want to come next year,” Feathers said. “I was telling my aunt that I have to make a strategy.”The 80th annual carnival will run through Saturday night and raises money for the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company.
Other highlights include the fireman's water battle at 7 p.m. today, and the Fireman's Parade at 7 p.m. Thursday.Carnival rides are open each day.
