Aurora's second annual Pooch Parade steps off Sunday
The dog days of summer take hold in August for most of us, but in Aurora they don't really get started until early September.
That's when the city celebrates its annual Pooch Parade, which this year steps off at 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8, in Phillips Park, 1000 Ray Moses Drive.
The event not only gives local canines and their owners a chance to strut through town, but also encourages shelter adoptions. Aurora Animal Care and Control makes dogs available for adoption and urges residents to bring donations for the shelter, such as squeaky toys and fleece blankets.
Mike Nelson, special events assistant and lead coordinator of the Pooch Parade, said the shelter's involvement seems to be making a difference.
"Many dogs at the parade found homes shortly after the event last year," Nelson said. "That was one of the main goals."
The parade includes shelter dogs as well as residents' dogs.
The pooches can compete in numerous contests, including Biggest Dog, Smallest Dog, Best Aurora Pride, Best Costume, Best Tail, Most Energetic, Crowd Favorite, Most Beautiful Eyes and Twinsies, which lets owners get involved and match with their furry friends.
The competition features a panel of three judges, including Little Miss Aurora Alaria Selmon and Little Mr. Aurora Benjamin Mendoza.
The prize for Crowd Favorite awards the winning dog the title of "Grand Marshal" for next year's parade. Kovu, a 4-year-old Italian mastiff, won Crowd Favorite and Best Costume last year. Also known as a Cane Corso, Kovu will be heading this year's event.
Kovu's owner, Jessica Morales, said she heard about the parade last year on Facebook.
"I wanted to go just to socialize my dogs. I thought it would be cute and fun, but I didn't expect to win anything," Morales said.
Morales enjoyed seeing the interest Aurora Animal Care and Control received at last year's parade.
"It's a great way to get dogs adopted," Morales said. "Everyone goes to the shelter tent. A lot of people have reached out about dogs and different breeds, and they have learned a lot about them."
Nelson said the Aurora Special Events Division began planning the parade soon after the Fourth of July. In its second year, the event already is generating great interest.
"The number of homeless canines keeps going up," Nelson said. "Our goal through this event is to showcase the dogs."
In addition to the parade and competition, the event will include music from local personality DJ Suavesmooth, food trucks, pet supply vendors and puppy pools.
"The city loves the dogs so much," Nelson said. "It brings the community together in a different way."
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Second annual Aurora Pooch Parade
When: 1 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 8
Where: Phillips Park Sunken Garden area, 1000 Ray Moses Drive
Cost: Free
Info: www.aurora-il.org/PoochParade or (630) 256-3370