A day of parades

Beagles, bassets and bulldogs bark up Broad.

Broad Street in Rome was turned over to the dogs, and a few cats, Saturday for the annual St. PETrick’s Day parade. It wasn’t a Christmas Parade crowd, but Broad Street was certainly bustling during the noon hour in anticipation of the parade that started at 1 p.m.

Jonah and Lydia Norris were a little disappointed they got the start time of the event wrong. They came about half an hour early but had to leave the march before it ever got started due to another commitment. Their beagle Abby didn’t seem to be bothered by not being in the parade itself.

Sherry Lyle brought her miniature Australian shepherd Pippa out for the walk up Broad Street. She said she brings Pippa out for the event every year. “It gives the dog socialization skills,” Lyle said. “It also gives the children who line the street a chance to see all the different kind of dogs.”

Marlin and Kathy Teat made the event a family affair with their daughter Marla Dixon and grandson Coleman Dixon who all walked the route with their dog Prissy.

Pets were found on the sidewalk as well as in the parade out on the street.

Gary Hulgan of Rome brought his dachshund Weenie out to enjoy a lunch at the sidewalk cafe in front of Jefferson’s Restaurant. “I was afraid he might just be a

little rowdy and I didn’t want him to create a ruckus with the other dogs,” Hulgan said. Weenie was dressed for the occasion in a bright green vest, but was satisfied to

bark at his brethren in the arms of Hulgan as the other pets walked by.

Acworth’s Jonathan Bridges, who grew up in Rome came back for the event and was walking his mother’s dog Winston, a Havanese, along the sidewalk while the parade was moving out in the street.

ABOVE: Brenda Trosclair (from left), Lynne Hicks, Katherine Tom and Dennis Trosclair lead the St. PETrick’s Day Parade on Broad Street on Saturday.

LEFT: The Rockmart High School band leads the parade.

ABOVE: Kylie Carver celebrates her freckles during Saturday’s Ginger Pride Parade in downtown Rome.

LEFT: Gary Hulgan of Rome and Weenie enjoy lunch before the parade.

Doug Walker / Rome News-Tribune Wallace the basset hound pulls owner Brandon Williams up Broad Street on Saturday in their first St. Petrick’s parade.

Doug Walker / Rome News-Tribune Jonah (left) and Lydia Norris walk the sidewalk with Abby.

Winston