The second annual Martha’s Vineyard Dog Parade is August 22 at 6:30 p.m. in Oak Bluffs’ Ocean Park, and its slogan is Welcome Back Bo, for First Dog Bo Obama.
Everyone is invited, dog or no dog, for a walk in the park.
The opportunity to have your dog marshal the parade was sold to the high bidders at the Possible Dreams Auction, Karen Weitz and Jim Kopf. When they learned they might not be on Island for the parade, the couple passed their dream to a child in the Early Childhood Program at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services.
Mya Perez and her cousin Christian Turner, five-year-old best friends and dog lovers, will lead the parade with dog marshal Reggie Orcutt, a five-year-old Norwich terrier. The three five-year-olds will lead the parade around the walkways in Ocean Park, with some help from their families, including Mya’s mother, Lynsey Gonsalves, Mya’s aunt and uncle, David and Margaret Oliveira, and Christian’s parents, Yvette and Mark Turner.
Reggie, the marshal, is a show champion who loves kids.
Island children’s author Kate Feiffer will read dog stories to children. Lisa Vanderhoop, creator of the Vineyard Seadogs calendar, will be the “pho-DOG-grapher,” and MVTV will broadcast it all.
Trumpeter Ed Rogers and last year’s marshall, yellow lab Chappy Homlish, will join the parade, while Rev. Jeff Winter, pastor of the Faith Community Church, will bless the dogs.
There will be water donated by Chilmark Spring Water for the dogs and pick-up bags and organic dog treats from the parade’s sponsor, Good Dog Goods.
Immediately following the parade is the last band concert of the summer season.
Comments
Comment policy »