The 85th annual Pet and Doll Parade will take over downtown Great Falls on Thursday, July 25.
All children and pets are invited to take part in the traditional parade, which kicks off at 7 p.m.
The event is free to children of all ages and fun for the entire family, according to city officials.
This year’s theme is “Super Heroes” and prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in each category. All participants will receive a ribbon.
Judging will begin at 6:15 p.m. in front of the Civic Center. Groups will be judged as one entry while originality of costume is the top criteria.
The Pet and Doll Parade will begin at 7 p.m. with participants walking down Central Avenue to 8th Street.
Parents are required to be at the breakup area as soon as the parade is over to pick up their children.
You can register at the Park and Recreation Office (1700 River Drive North), which is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday. Participants will receive their identification/category tag when they register. The tag must be worn during the parade and judging.
Registration forms are available at the Park and Recreation Office, Community Recreation Center, Electric City Water Park, and Jaycee and Water Tower Pools. Completed forms must be turned in at the Park and Recreation Office. You can call 771-1265 for more information.
Late registration will be in front of the Civic Center from 5-6 p.m. on the day of the parade.
All participants, except adults, need to be registered in the parade.
Divisions include:
- Pet Division (10 categories)
- Doll Division (8 categories)
- Sports Division (13 categories)
- Characterization Division (20 categories)
- Circus Division (8 categories)
- Occupational Division (7 categories)
- Cartoon Division (6 categories)
- Frontier Division (7 categories)
General Guidelines for the Pet & Doll Parade:
- Any child with a horse or large farm animal must be entered in the Frontier Division
- Any adults participating in the parade with their children must be dressed in costume
- No political signs or banners
- No motorized or battery-powered vehicles
- No advertising of products or services
- Sorry, no throwing candy to spectators
Video from the 2018 Pet and Doll Parade:
