Saxonburg carnival begins
SAXONBURG — Surrounded by dogs wearing tutus, kittens with tiaras and costumed critters of all varieties, Brandon McCarthy tried to explain the magic of the annual pet parade down Saxonburg's Main Street.
“It's the start of summer. It's kids and their pets,” McCarthy, event chairman, said Monday evening, just as the half-hour long parade was coming to a close and the 82nd annual Saxonburg Fireman's Carnival was lighting up. “It's just plain fun.”
Dark skies and the threat of rain brought parade participation down by a third to 111 participants, but the spirit of those in attendance still was festive.
“This is big for us,” Dave Eichenlaub of Saxonburg said as he marched behind his daughter, Jeannine, 9, who brought her pet goat named Brownie. “There wasn't even a question. She said 'let's bring the goat' and we had to do it.”
Brownie, in a green bandanna, was eager to make his way down the people-lined street.But Simba, on the other hand, wasn't as impressed. The tiny orange kitten slept in a wagon the entire parade route and wasn't even roused to a meow when his entry won the most original award at the parade's conclusion.Tiffany Keffalas, 18, of Butler last year had been Miss Saxonburg. This year she's Miss North East State in the Pure American Pageant. But, for the purpose of this parade, she just was the owner of Simba and “lion tamer” Sophie, a black lab mix,Marchers also included a pot-bellied pig, a chicken and a Japanese fire belly newt.“I saw it and had to have it,” said newt owner Kaylyn Miller, 10, of Butler. “It's just so cool.”Parade judges, businesswoman Pam Bowman; District Judge Sue Haggerty, and Saxonburg EMS representative Sue Yacono, agreed and awarded Miller and her newt the most unusual award.
The other prize winners were: best of show went to Kerry Rome of Saxonburg for a firefighter float; best of show runner up was Rebekah Aust of Saxonburg for a Steelers float; prettiest went to Grace Calvin, 5, of Butler for her two turtles and a cocker spaniel named Snickerdoodle dressed as a banana split; biggest went to Russ Lang of Saxonburg with a draft horse; best groomed went to Kathy Roudybush of Saxonburg with a shih tzu puppy; smallest went to Erica Clapper of Butler with her stink bugs, and furthest distance traveled was won by Bailee Thompson who brought her horse from Wichita, Kan., 1,069 miles from Saxonburg.The carnival, which benefits the fire company, runs through Saturday. Admission is $2, and there is a $15 ride-all-day pass available.The water battle is today at 7 p.m.For more information, go to svfc.com.
