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09/10/2012 12:00 AMThere was the guinea pig with butterfly wings attached, riding in a flower-filled wheelbarrow; a woman dressed as Inspector Clouseau with a dog togged out as the Pink Panther; and a bulldog in a crate with bars over the opening to simulate a jail, complete with a wanted poster. All that is business as usual at the Pet Parade at Deep River Family Day.
Family Day on Saturday, Sept. 15, sponsored by the Deep River Merchants Association, kicks off with a 5K run/walk starting at Devitt Field at 8:30 a.m. (registration opens at 7:30 a.m.) and concludes with a fireworks display at Plattwood Park at dusk. In between there will be a host of different activities for the whole family: pumpkin painting at Alicia Meluzzo's studio on the Green, with pumpkins donated by Scott's Orchards; a carnival at Deep River Elementary School; and eating contests for every gastronomical taste: pizza at Deep River Pizza and pie at The Ivory Pub.
The pet parade, sponsored by Lynn Ditta of The Pet's Choice in Deep River, features costumed pets and their proud (and often similarly garbed) owners. In the nearly 15 years of the parade, there have been not only dogs and cats, but also costumed lizards, chickens, parakeets, turtles, hamsters, goats, and even a hermit crab in the march down Deep River Main Street.
"It's always an interesting turnout," said Ditta.
Judges Martha Kelly, Ellen Boone, and Peggy Maraschiello award prizes in different categories: best behaved, cutest, looks most like owner, and funniest. And there is also an honorable mention for the pet that doesn't fit into any category but delights the judges.
Ditta had a hint for this year's participants: Although there are commercial costumes that can be purchased for animals, she said the judges have usually preferred homemade pet outfits.
Winners get gift certificates to The Pet's Choice and all participants get a goody bag full of pet treats, more suitable, Ditta admitted, for a dog than a lizard-"But many people who have other animals also have dogs," she noted.
Over the years, Ditta has been pleasantly surprised by the behavior of the animal participants.
"I have been concerned because there are so many pets, but it has never been an issue," she said.
These pets, in fact, are so well behaved that Ditta doesn't even remember an inappropriate doggy squat along the parade route.
Ditta said every year before the parade she wonders if any pets and owners will show up, but she has never been disappointed. There are usually some 50 animals and owners in the parade and a crowd watching the march.
"I don't know where they all come from, but there are always a good number of people there," Ditta said.
Pre-registration for the pet parade is not necessary. Owners and their costumed pets gather at 3 p.m. at the Liberty Bank parking lot on Deep River Main Street. All pets must be on a leash or in a container and dog owners must bring proof of a rabies vaccine. The parade steps off at 3:30 p.m. and marches several blocks to Deep River Elementary School.