SUN CITY – In two days, Sun City will go to the dogs, literally.
Above and below: Some friendly, furry friends from previous years' Pets on Parade. (Photos provided)
Pampered pooches and coddled kitties will be dressed up in their best, or maybe funniest, costumes, depending on the creative talents of their owners. They will be the center of attention at an expo, and they will be ogled, petted, admired, and not yelled at for four hours.
It’s the annual Sun City Pet Expo and Parade at the Prairie Lodge pavilion and east parking lot this Saturday, Sept. 25. The event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., is sponsored annually by the Lifestyles Department, headed by Jane Tennant, special events coordinator.
How about Bosco the Boxer in a purple neck sash? Or Prancer the Pekingese wearing a colorful coat with Chinese lettering (that’s appropriate). Or Fido the Terrier with ribbons tied around his ears and tail? Or Sam the Siamese decked out in a leather coat labeled “Catwoman.” What, you expected a gerbil or parrot? Can you imagine them making fashion statements in a parade?
“Sun City allows three pets per household, and many residents have taken full advantage of that,” said Marlene Sweeney, the volunteer in charge of the event. “Many of them love to show off their dogs or cats. We will have about 30 vendors including veterinarians, pet sitters, and pet-related retailers on hand in booths surrounding the pavilion from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.”
The parade will start about 1 p.m. or shortly thereafter and will wind around the edge of the pavilion near the vendor booths. Wherever there are dogs and cats, of course, there are prizes.
“We will have prizes for the best costumes, for the best costumes for pet and owner combined, for the most beautiful, unique, and cutest costumes, and for the best behaved pet,” Sweeney said. “The highlight of the day should be the People’s Choice Award, for which all owners and guests will vote. All winners will receive trophies.”
About three years ago, Sweeney said, the Lifestyles Department realized that, while there were activities for every conceivable human adult interest, hobby, and sport, there was nothing related to pets. That’s when the first pet parade and expo was created by the staff.
“We had 400 people come last year, and we expect at least as many this year,” Sweeney said. “We had 46 dogs and a couple of cats last year, and we hope to top that this year. Dogs are best suited to an event like this; many cats do not react well, so we have only a few of them.”
Sweeney herself is the owner of three dogs, and her interest in pets and animals is so strong that she volunteers each week at the Huntley “no kill” pet shelter on Coyne Station Road.
“It’s the largest no-kill, adopt-a-pet shelter in the state,” she said. “The shelter has saved the lives of many animals.”
