Annual Pug Parade set to strut down Commerce Ave on Saturday, May 9th
May 1, 2009 by Valley Bugler
It is an event that has received a lot of attention from pugs and their owners, as well as dedicated pug fans. Even pug wannabees attend because of the fun of it.
If you aren’t familiar with pugs, the short, fawn or black smooshed in nose dogs with the curly tails, let us fill you in a bit. Pugs are considered the clowns of the dog world. They are conniving, sneaky, and a laugh a minute. They each have their own personality, but they all are funny.
The Pug Parade originated four years ago, under the careful eye of former editor/publisher Candy Richey and her husband, Bill.
It has been well attended ever since. The annual trek begins and Freddy’s Halibut Restaurant on Commerce, parades along Commerce and ends at Farm Dog Bakery, on Broadway.
At Farm Dog, friends await with a basket filled with their wonderful homemade dog bones.
Garlic, cheesy, sirloin, and many other flavors are the specialty of the house. Farm Dog Bakery is operated by the Longview School District as a place where developmentally disabled high school graduates (from 18-21) are taught how to successfully work for a living. They must come to work, wash hands, clock in, wait on customers, and make all of the dog biscuits that have local woofers salivating.
If you buy chewable dog biscuits, try them from Farm Dog. The dogs love them and you’ll help some great kids.
Back to the Pug Parade. We have it set for Saturday, May 9th STARTING at noon, again outside Freddy’s Halibut. The crew will then proceed up Commerce until everyone reaches Farm Dog Bakery on Broadway.
Once there, judging will begin for various awards, such as Best Dressed Pug Family (that includes people), Funniest, Best Behaved, Best Pug Wannabee (for interlopers and pug’s friends), Best Costume and more.
The cost is only $5 per dog, or a maximum of $15 per pug family, which covers costs. This event is not about profit, it is about fun, and sharing our wonderful four-legged friends with the community. After costs are covered, proceeds go to benefit the Humane Society of Cowlitz County.
The application for the Pug Parade is below, as well as located on the ValleyBugler.com website (click on the Pug Parade button). Applications also at The Dog Zone, The PetWorks, and Petco. It will save time if you pre-register, (see form below) however applications will be accepted from 11:30 a.m. until noon the day of the parade.
Whether you are a pug family, or just a pug fan, plan on enjoying the Pug Parade Saturday, May 9th. Everyone is welcome to walk and talk as we watch these “lights of joy” strut their stuff!
I went to both Petco and Petworks (in that order) to pre-register on Sunday May 2nd and neither one knew about it. You might want to call and remind them about it. We would have liked to register early.