Children in annual downtown pet parade have a doggone good time
By MARY ANN GREIER, Salem News staff writerFrom a monkey to a mammoth cow and dogs of all shapes and sizes, even stuffed ones, the annual Fourth of July pet and patriotic vehicle parades in Salem attracted them all, ablaze with red, white and blue.
"Every year there's been more," said Mary Lou Popa, event organizer.
Sponsored by the Salem Memorial and Patriotic Association, the annual events started many years ago at Waterworth Memorial Park, then moved to Broadway. Popa recalled days of old when children rode their bicycles all decorated with flags and patriotic colors in the Memorial Day parade.
She thought it would be something fun for the children to do on the Fourth of July holiday. One year she decided to add goody bags to distribute to all the children who participated, but didn't win a prize, with Popa and the association splitting the cost.
The goody bags include candy, a drink, pencils, a patriotic cookie and other little trinkets, along with a free movie pass donated by Salem Twin Cinema and a certificate for a free cone donated by Bruster's Ice Cream.
Trophy winners in the pet parade included:
4 Largest, Angela Judy of Salem and her pet cow Albert
4 Smallest, Ciarra Van Cooney of Salem and her dog Oliver
4 Furriest, Logan Talbert of Salem and his dog Jennings
Most Unusual, Austin and Dylan Sinkovich of Salem and their monkey Zoey
Best Dressed, Noah Riffee of Salem and his dog Mazzi, dressed with a hula skirt
Cutest, Peyton Guiler of Salem and his dog Edgar.
Trophy winners in the patriotic vehicle parade included:
Ages birth to 3: first place, Aniston Sinkovich, 1, of Salem; second place, Samuel Bricker, 3, of Salem; and third place, Aaron Brown, 3, of Salem.
Ages 4 to 7: first place, Dylan Sinkovich, 6, of Salem; second place, Austin Sinkovich, 4, of Salem; and third place, Noah Ferrier, 5, of Salem.
Ages 7 and above: first place, Jessica Slocum, 7, of Salem; second place, Collin Chase, 8, of Rogers; and third place, Jessie Slocum, 11, of Salem.
Mary Ann Greier can be reached at mgreiersalemnews.net
