Benedum Festival Pet Parade a Barking Success
By Julie Perine on July 14, 2012
There were awards galore – and spotted, shaggy and sassy and dogs of every size and shape to win them.
“We have prizes for about everything you can think of,” said Linda Leonette, co-chair of this morning’s Benedum Festival Pet Parade.
After the pet procession across Bridgeport City Park Trail, Pastor Robin Ray of Bridgeport Presbyterian Church offered a pet blessing.
Then came the anticipated announcement of winners.
A veteran of the canine contest, “Lucky” Fulks took honors for fluffiest tail. He and his owner, Caroline, were obviously also in the running for best dressed as they were cleverly attired in “Thing 1” and “Thing 2” attire.
Most original costume went to “Sugar,” a sweet Jack Russell Terrier owned by Jessie and Bob Hanes. She was sporting a bandana of patriotic design, the freedom theme having more meaning than meets the eye.
“She was homeless after one of the hurricanes and ended up in a shelter in North Carolina,” Jessie Hanes said. “We adopted her from a rescue shelter there and had her sent to New York, where we lived at the time.”
The family recently relocated to Bridgeport and enjoyed their very first Benedum Festival Pet Parade, they said.
Shortest tail and shortest nose awards went to a pair of Boston Terriers owned by Marsha Stuart. The former accolade went to “Rudy (The Boss)” and the latter to “Emma.”
Stuart’s niece Jackie Warner brought along her boxers, “Dudley” and “Rosie May,” sporting Virginia Tech bandanas. But it’s okay, Warner explained. “Rosie May” was also wearing gold and blue WVU tags.
“She’s a Mountaineer, but now she’s moving to Blacksburg to be Hokie,” said Warner, who this fall is entering The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine operated by Virginia Tech.
“Rosie May” walked away with a blue ribbon for best mascot, while “Dudley” edged out a pair of Saint Bernards for the tallest pet award.
A beagle mix named “Samson” wasn’t the perkiest of the pets, but his owner Ali Lopez was quite pleased that he was awarded a blue ribbon for happiest pet. Her beagle, “Penny” appropriately won the prize for loudest pet, Lopez said.
Presenting the ribbons were the youngest members of Benedum Festival royalty. The little queens also presented each participant with a cellophane-wrapped doggie treat, compliments of The Barkery.
The Pet Parade was sponsored by “Friends of the Bark Park,” explained Marsha Jones, co-chair. She was very pleased that 25 pets and their owners came out to support the event. It has been part of the festival in recent years, having been started by Louise Toothman, who since passed away.
“I think it was really nice and next year we might just add to it – maybe collecting items for the local dog shelter,” Jones said. "We were so appreciative that The Barkery provided treats for all the dogs, as well as the door prize - a gift certificate to the store."
Tom Terebus and his 3-year-old son Eli didn’t bring a pet to the parade. They arrived on a bicycle and enjoyed being spectators. They even grabbed a cherry Slushy to share before the ride home. They plan to come back to the park this afternoon to enjoy some rides and more festival fun, they said.
Benedum Festival Schedule of Events:
Leave a Comment
Log in or create an account to post a comment.