Rotary’s 82nd annual pet parade is Saturday

WINSTED — The 82nd Annual Rotary Pet Parade welcomes children of all ages on Saturday, May 19 at 2 p.m. on Winsted’s Main Street, rain or shine.

All children from Winsted, Torrington, Norfolk, New Hartford, Barkhamsted and Colebrook are invited to participate in this annual spring tradition organized by the Torrington-Winsted Area Rotary Club.

The oldest pet parade in the nation, the Winsted spectacle will feature 12 parade divisions; four marching bands – St. Peter’s Drum Corp, Regional 7 Middle School, Gilbert Middle School, and the Pearson School Band; and bagpiper Ken Storrs; Rotary members and local dignitaries; the 2017 Laurel Queen Grace Valickis and Laurel King Dylan Thomsen; the 2018 Pet Parade Poster Contest Winner and other schools’ top winners; the Forbes Flyers; and the Honorary Parade Marshal Ellen Griesedieck, executive director of the American Mural Project.

The diverse divisions of the parade make it possible for any and all children to take part, even if they don’t own a pet. The parade divisions include small floats, wagons and doll carriages that might contain a child, pet or stuffed animal; pets, carried, caged or on a lead; famous people in costume; animated/cartoon characters; super heroes and villains; fiction and fantasy from the movies/books; floats; Scouts, sports and youth organizations; dogs, leashed or carried; and needing helmets to participate, bikes; rollerblades and skateboards; small selfpropelled vehicles; and horses and ponies.

To register to participate in the Pet Parade, forms were distributed through the schools in Torrington, Winsted, Colebrook, New Hartford, Barkhamsted and Norfolk; or on the day of the parade at parade lineup on Meadow Street in Winsted between 1 and 1:30 p.m.

One may also view parade information on Facebook at Winsted Rotary Pet Parade. All first, second and third winning parade division winners will receive a medal at the East End Park ceremonies when announced following the parade’s conclusion. Every participant must be present to receive the grand prizes awarded by the judges that will include a choice of a Kindle or a bicycle.

An annual pre–parade activity is the Pet Parade poster contest, which is open to all children. Fourteen schools and over 350 children submitted their posters for judging in April.

The posters are currently displayed in storefronts throughout the northwest corner advertising the event. The 15 winning posters will be displayed on a float which is pulled down Main Street on Parade Day.

Poster winners will be announced at the park where a “Best in School” winner from each of the participating schools will receive a Kindle. All second and third runners up will receive a medal. The Grand Prize Winner, Corrine Chadwick of Torringford School will ride down Main Street in a convertible with the winning poster and will have the honor of being the Poster Ambassador for the 83rd Annual Pet Parade on May 18, 2019.

The Rotary Club encourages everyone who created a poster for the parade to participate in the celebration at the park and look for their poster either in a local store window or displayed around the bandstand on Parade Day. They may also choose to march in the Pet Parade as well.

For information, call event co-chairpersons Larry Cassella at 860-482-9364 or Sarah Dziedzic at 860496-7587.

Contributed photo The 82nd Annual Rotary Pet Parade welcomes children of all ages on Saturday, May 19 at 2 p.m. on Winsted’s Main Street, rain or shine.