There will be a Top Dog Parade!

34th annual Top Dog parade happens Saturday

by Dennis Rahm

The annual Wayne Kelly Memorial Top Dog Parade will take place as scheduled this weekend. The consensus by many is that the popular community event, centered around dogs and St. Patrick’s Day, will provide a much needed dose of hope during the difficult days of living through the COVID-19 pandemic.

Gene and Pat Kelly both agreed the parade is needed for the community. “As long as people respect others and adhere to COVID restrictions everything will be fine” said Gene.

The Kelly family has been involved in the annual event since the first impromptu parade back in 1987. Since that time the Top Dog event has served as a harbinger of longer days and warmer weather. This Saturday’s event falls on the official first day of Spring.

Chelan City Administrator Wade Farris said the event has been issued a parade permit and notes that participants and spectators should adhere to the current COVID restrictions of social distancing and masking. Farris said the annual event will be a positive for the community and that being outside presents low risk as long as people respect the suggested COVID guidelines.

The COVID situation has resulted in the cancellation of this years Lions Club Shamrock Shuffle which normally is held the same day. Club President Steve Shumway said their organization didn’t have enough time to organize and obtain a permit for this years event. The Lions Club will participate in the parade and some of their members are expected to assist with traffic control and the staging and judging for this year’s Top Dog award.

Parade participants and dogs will begin staging in the parking lot behind Wells Fargo bank between 11 to 11:30 this Saturday morning. The parade is scheduled to start at 12-noon.