After taking 2015 off due to a rise in dog flu, the annual Dog Day parade is scheduled to return to Lake Forest on Saturday, May 14.
Costumed dogs are encouraged to attend and animals of the stuffed variety are also welcome, organizers say.
Tricia Sweet, who is lead event coordinator, saw plenty of dogs in Chicago Blackhawks costumes during the last Dog Day parade in 2014. She also recalls a girl who wore a wedding dress and dressed her dog up as a groom.
More Top Picks Gadgets
The event was started at least a dozen years ago by the Lake Forest Open Lands Association, said Holly Meeks, director of outreach.
“We knew we had many dog owners who were walking through our preserves and felt it was a nice event to celebrate dogs in Lake Forest,” Meeks said.
The group dropped the event a few years ago and the Gorton Community Center then took it over.
Besides the parade, ribbons will be awarded for best costume, best owner-dog look alike, most mysterious heritage and top dog.
A post parade celebration will include live music, pet rescue and adoption groups, pet experts, doughnuts and—of course—hot dogs.
Dogs can participate in the parade at a cost of $5. Humans are free.
To register, go to gortoncenter.org or visit the Gorton Community Center, 400 E. Illinois Road before the parade.
The event starts at 9 a.m. and the parade is scheduled to step off at 9:45 a.m.
Call 847-234-6060 for more information.
Twitter: @reporterdude