By Diana Cavagnaro
‘Who let the dogs out?’
Downtown Ace Hardware and VCA Market Street presented the eighth annual Gaslamp Quarter Pet Parade on Dec. 13, at Martin Luther King Promenade Park, Downtown.
Dog lovers arrived dressed in costumes for this entertaining event. Dogs were not the only animals participating; some contestants even brought cats, chickens, iguanas, and a gold fish in a bowl.
A Pet Expo was set up in the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter Park with dog and animal products and fun giveaways.
The parade route started at the Hilton park, passed through the historic Gaslamp Quarter arch up Fifth Avenue and back down Fourth Avenue to the Hilton park for the festivities. The parade began with the event’s official grand marshals, 2014 Best of Show winners, “Canine Candyland”’s Muttley Cyrus and Rambo, whose owners, Heather and Lori Signs lead the way. The streets were lined with huge crowds taking pictures and cheering everyone on.
This festive event finishes up with the Pet Parade awards ceremony, presented by Doozydog! Club and the San Diego Humane Society.
This year’s awards included:
- Best Pet Costume (canine): Kindle the Australian Shepherd (Handler: Elle North Toyer)
- Best Pet Costume (non-canine): Ginger Ale and Chicka the Chickens (Handler: Michaelann Johnson)
- Best Costume Duo: Baily the Yorkie and handler Mary Caraway dressed as lion tamers
- Best Costume Group: Lambchop (Handlers: Diana Cavagnaro and George Bates)
- Best Pet Holiday Costume: Niner the French bulldog (Handler: Julie Phan)
- Cutest Critter: Lunchbox the French bulldog (Handler: Tiffiney Welles)
- Best Ugly Holiday Sweater: Luca and McKenzie the cocker spaniels (Handler: Scott Bowen)
- Best Pet Float: Cosmo and Betty the pugs (in the plane) (Handler: Paula Fisher)
- Best of Show: Ozzie and Ferra the Chihuahuas (“Star Wars” themed) (Handler: Corey Dobbs)
If you missed this must-see event, get updated information at gaslamp.org/events/pet-parade.
Holiday Soiree
Salon & Boutique De Marcus presented a Holiday Trunk Show with cocktails and cigars by Del Mar Cigar Club. Marcus Hanish, stylist/designer greeted everyone as they arrived on a red carpet for this holiday soiree. Shopping began with De Marcus dress shirts and gowns along with fine jewelry from Sky Diamonds. Brooke Evangeline and Shawn Michael Michael coordinated the models. They strolled through the store showcasing Hanish’s latest designs. He also featured accessories and the models could be seen wearing suspenders and bow ties.
The entertainment began with Barry Allen Cohen, the “cocktail crooner.” Cohen is known for his vocal style like Frank Sinatra or Dean Martin. Middle Eastern dancer Tarciana Bonomo lit up the room with her belly dancing and delighted the audience using veils for one act and fire batons for another.
Sky Diamonds Inc. presented fine jewelry at the trunk show and sells their jewelry at wholesale prices. They buy, sell, and exchange jewelry and watches from Rolex, Cartier, David Yurman and Tiffany to name a few. They also give gold parties in your home or office. They buy gold, melt it down, design and create new pieces with it.
A portion of the evening’s proceeds went to No More. This nonprofit not only raises awareness but hopes to end domestic violence and sexual assault. Founded in 2013 as a platform to increase funding for direct service, advocacy and prevention. For more information, visit nomore.org.
Upcoming events
Jan.8 – 31 |Talking Through Her Hat — An exhibit of hats and the women who wore them at the Women’s Museum of California, located at 2730 Historic Decatur Road, Barracks 16. The museum hours are Wednesday – Sunday from 12 – 4 p.m. and the admission is $5.
Jan. 20 | RAW: San Diego presents Futures — This event includes art, fashion, music, film, photography, performance and hair and makeup. The House of Blues, Downtown San Diego at 6 p.m. For Tickets visit rawartists.org/tickets/purchase/1888.
Jan. 31 |Winter Bridal Bazaar — Three fashion shows presented by Gretchen Productions at the San Diego Convention Center. For more information, call 760-334-5500.
—Diana Cavagnaro is an internationally renowned couture milliner based in the historic Gaslamp Quarter. Learn more about our hat designer, teacher and blogger at DianaCavagnaro.com.
