Pet project: Parade needs help

By Brenna Wiegand

Randal Thomas of Silverton Kiwanis Club reports that the club’s “pet project” – Silverton’s annual Pet Parade – will be bigger and better than ever when it takes to the streets on May 19.

The most singular feature lies not in the fact that this is the first Grand Marshal the parade has had in recent memory, but in the identity of this esteemed forerunner.

Thanks to his recent act of heroism, Boomba the Dog joins Bobbie the Dog in Silverton’s (quirky but necessary) unofficial Canine Hall of Fame.

When fire broke out at the Silverton Palace Theatre the morning of April 11, Boomba was walking his owner, downtown resident Carla Mahler. The Chinese Crested Dog “that looks like it has a Mohawk” noticed the fire and Mahler immediately called 911, said Palace Theatre owner Stu Rasmussen, adding that were it not for the quick action, the theater would have been a total loss.

Further credit, he said, goes to the Silverton Fire District for the circumspect way in which they handled the blaze.

Therefore, it is only fitting that Boomba don the garb of a firefighter and head the well-attended parade.

Through partnerships with Valley Credit Union, Allied Waste and Silver Creek Animal Clinic, more judging categories have been added to this year’s event, including “Dogs in Costume,” “Big Dogs” and “Little Dogs,” not to mention the Boomba banner. Thomas estimates the total number of banners to be around 15.

In order for this furry, trotting, crawling, slithering, diverse menagerie to take to the streets in style Saturday morning, Kiwanis is seeking volunteers to carry these banners along the parade route.

On-the-job training provided; just show up at 9 a.m. and find the appropriate table.

For further parade information, call Randal Thomas, 503-873-1989.