First Annual “Boo-le-Bark” Parade is a Major Success

ATHENS, Ga. – A shark, a dinosaur, a pig, a princess, and more were just a few of the costumes worn by smiling canines in the Boo-le-Bark parade on Sunday in the Historic District of Athens. Members of the Athens community and the Boulevard Neighborhood Association came together to host the first annual Boo-le-Bark parade consisting of 125 costumed dogs and owners benefitting the charity Athenspet.

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The sidewalks of Boulevard were packed with families, kids, and more four-legged friends who came out to view the spectacular show filled with impressive dog costumes, human costumes, and music. Word spread quickly about the event through friends, fliers, and FaceBook, accumulating a crowd of about one thousand people.

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Jennifer Bridges, an Athens native brought her own beagle/basset hound mix, Jake, dressed in a lion costume to watch the parade from the sidelines.

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“Anything with dogs and costumes is bound to be a great time. I definitely think this should continue next year and it goes to a great cause,” Bridges said.

Watching from the sidewalks seemed to be just as much fun as the parade according to Bridges, but another Athens local who happens to live in the neighborhood experienced the parade first hand.

Paige Otwell, and her nine-year-old jack russell, Bagel, paraded along Boulevard in pumpkin costumes.

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“You know I was just saying this is another one of those great Athens things. Why were all here is really kind of silly, but it’s just fun. My husband and I were behind the band and it is beautiful weather. It was just great,” Otwell said.

Otwell described how each costumed canine received a dog tag, confirming that they were a registered dog for the parade. This ensured the safety of the dogs in the parade and those watching from the sidelines.

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The parade finished at the Jittery Joes Tasting Room Roaster where parade goers mingled together as one, and where friends Whitney Hammond and Ridley Baird came out to enjoy with their own two rescue dogs.

“It’s a dog parade. Of course I am going to be there. Can we do this every weekend,” Hammond said with a laugh.

Baird wants more opportunities similar to this parade saying, “I loved it. I really wish they would do it more than once year. This is really fun.”

 

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