BEND, OR -- Bend’s annual Fourth of July Pet Parade returns this year with a new route. Bend Parks and Rec announced parade staging will be at Harmon Park at 9 a.m. Monday. Then at 10, the parade heads north on Harmon to Newport, then east to Wall Street and onto Drake Park - it’s the same route used for the Christmas Parade, Veterans Parade and others.
Parade participants are encouraged to arrive in costume with a pet or stuffed animal and on pulled wagons, bikes or trikes. Parade spectators are also welcome to watch all the action on the new parade route.
The Fourth of July Parade began in 1924. It was canceled in 1943 for World War II, and in 2020 and 21 due to COVID.
“Bringing the pet parade back as part of the holiday is welcomed by community members and park district staff,” said BPRD's Julie Brown in a statement. “We encourage all parade goers to review the new route that we anticipate will accommodate the size of the event from recent years and make for a great event.”
Returning for this year’s parade are traditional entries of the Pioneer Queen, a 1929 Pershing fire truck and Boy Scout Troop #25 as flag bearers. One of the largest parades in Central Oregon, it is anticipated that more than 8,000 people participate and watch the parade.
PARADE DETAILS & PARKING:
- All ages welcome.
- No registration necessary.
- Leash up and clean up after pets.
- No rabbits, cats or aggressive animals. Do not give away or sell animals.
- Large animals need to arrive early; trailer parking on Riverside Blvd.
- Equestrians, please wear helmets.
- No solicitation, commercial floats, motorized vehicles, motorcycles or distribution of anything, including candy.
- Best parking: Outer perimeter of downtown and in parking garage.
- ADA parking available at Highland at Kenwood School on Newport Ave., in downtown parking garage and in City of Bend parking lot on Franklin Ave.
Volunteers are needed to help as monitors on the parade route, assist in the start & finish areas and more. Click HERE for more information and volunteer sign up.
