— by Cara Russell —
A herd of goats created a bit of a traffic jam at the Orcas Island Public School on Saturday morning. It took a lot of coaxing and pushing by their handlers to get them on the move as Orcas Island animals of all kinds participated in this year’s 24th annual Pet Parade through town.
The Kaleidiscope parade is put on every year and is their biggest fundraiser. The money raised at events like the pet parade goes to serve 75 Orcas Island children, from infants to 12 year-olds.
Sponsors of awards this year include:
• Island Hardware & Supply: An Island Original Star of the Show
• Orcas Excavators & Island Excavating: Largest Pet
• Four Winds*Westward Ho: Best Camper
• San Juan Builders Association: Best Built Pet
• Dr. Brenda Ivans, DDS: Best Smile
• Orcas Issues: Most Well Red
• Ray’s Pharmacy: Best Costume
• VanderYacht Propane: Owner-Pet Look Alike
• Orcas Family Health Center, David Shinstrom & Staff: Healthiest Pet
• Orcas Island Family Medicine, Orcas Physical Therapy: Most Talented
• Terra Firma NW: Judges Choice
• Island Market: Best Fed Pet
• Orcas Veterinary Service: Best Behaved
• Realtors of Windermere: Friendliest Pet
• The Wareham Family & San Juan Insurance: Best Farm Animal
• Kiwanis Club of Orcas Island: Best Group
• Orcas Food Co-op: Most Earth Friendly
• Dr Steven Bailey, DDS: Best Smile
• Islanders Bank: An Island Original
• Pawkis: Best Adult Entry
Nearly everyone went home a winner at the award ceremony on the Village Green Stage, and both pet and their handler/owner were excited to get up on stage and receive their trophy or ribbon—except for the goats, who only found solace in climbing up on the rock work built into the stage.
Many dogs came out with their people to see the parade, and it was pretty darn adorable, seeing how much these animals enjoyed the event.
