Pets and Their People to Parade in Eastsound

Saturday, May 28, 10 a.m., Orcas School

— from Vala Ross —

Animals and their owners will be taking over the streets of Eastsound on Saturday, May 28. That’s right! It’s almost time for the 26th Annual Pet Parade to support Kaleidoscope Preschool and Child Care Center.

In long-standing tradition, the parade will begin at the public school, with registration starting at 10:00 am. Come early to get signed up, have your photo taken by PAWKI’s, and get some goodies for your furry friend. The judging line will close promptly at 10:45 so the parade can begin, so make sure you don’t arrive on “island time!”

Participants will head down School Rd. at 11:00 am, snaking through Eastsound on North Beach Rd, through A Street to Prune Alley, around Main Street, and back up North Beach Rd to the Eastsound Village Green. Orcas Kiwanis and Orcas Sheriff Deputies will help once again to direct traffic and keep everyone safe along the route. The parade will culminate at the stage with an awards ceremony to hand out ribbons and trophies.

Afterwards, there will be live music entertainment, so stick around with the family, get something to eat from Kaleidoscope’s concession stand, and enjoy the afternoon with friends. Kaleidoscope will be serving up hotdogs and hamburgers donated by the Lower Tavern, and everyone’s favorite – SnoCones!

Kaleidoscope would like to thank the many island businesses that sponsor the award categories, and help with registration and judging. Keep an eye out for flyers announcing the different costume categories, which will be posted around town and distributed at schools. It is always such a treat to see the colorful, creative costumes that our islanders come up with.