The annual Twin Cities Pride Parade was not the only parade in Minneapolis last weekend. Over 75 people and their dogs participated and dressed in costumes for the 2024 Northeast Dog Parade on Friday.
The parade’s starting point featured different stands including vendors from local businesses, a stand for volunteers of the event and a stand for dogs to register for the event.
There were multiple water bowls set out for the dogs and kiddie pools filled with plastic balls they could play in as they waited for the parade to begin. The annual parade started on SE Main Street near the Merriam Street bridge.
One of the vendors, a locally-based pet food and supply shop, Chuck and Dons, gave out free treats and balls for the dogs to enjoy.
Dog owners were encouraged to dress their dogs in costumes for the possibility of winning Best Costume. Other awards included Best Look-Alike and Best Trick.
A corgi named Maximilian Bingham-Zellmer came dressed in a bright orange vest and yellow hard hat as “a homage to construction season,” said Tim Fisher, one of Maximilian’s owners.
Maximilian is competing in the Corgi Races at Canterbury Park in Shakopee later this summer, Fisher said.
Other costumes included a frat boy ensemble worn by a dog named Koda, his owner Meg Earnest said.
“I live near the University, and when we walk by frat row, he loves to eat all the pizza crusts along the sidewalk,” Earnest said.
Before the official start of the parade at 5:30 p.m., Mayor Jacob Frey and Minneapolis City Council Member Michael Rainville (Ward 3) said a few words about the event.
Minneapolis Police Department cadets were also present at the parade to help keep people safe from traffic and escort the parade, Rainville said.
“It’s so important to have those young officers,” Rainville added. “Those are city kids, they represent the future.”
Frey said these types of community events are why Minneapolis was designated the happiest city in the country in a recent ranking done by the Institute for Quality of Life.
“Part of the reason we are happy is we’ve got these extraordinary community events just like this and opportunities for neighbors to meet neighbors and in fact opportunities for neighbors to meet dogs,” Frey said.
The dog parade occurred the same weekend as the Twin Cities Pride Festival, resulting in many dogs dressed in colorful, rainbow costumes.
Earnest said she was looking for something to do with her friends this weekend and thought the dog parade sounded like a lot of fun.
“We wanted to be out in the community for pride,” Earnest said.