The Downtown DeLand Dog Parade was Saturday, February 22, and it was a spectacle as always. The Krewe of Amalee who hosts the parade, always exceeds expectations and raises the bar year after year.
Saturday marked the largest parade to date with 94 entries and 70 vendors participating in the street bazaar. The attendance was estimated to be over 10,000 people to enjoy the antics and costumes of the dogs (and their owners).
In addition to the annual Mardis Gras theme, this year’s parade also had a “Dog’s Will Rock You,” theme.
Krewe of Amalee is a DeLand nonprofit that donates to local charities and has given $600,000 back to the community over the last 24 years. The annual dog parade is one of the organization’s primary fundraisers. Money raised via sponsorships for the parade are used to nurture local neighborhoods as well as support the arts, fragile families, and humane pet centers. This year, Dell Technologies sponsored $25,000 and was designated the parade’s first ever corporate gold sponsor.
As for the parade winners, well they didn’t disappoint either.
Best Float: Woodland Animal Clinic; Second place – Bad 2 Da Bonz
Best Car: Spanish Sugar Mill; Second Place – Sovereign Realty
Business walkers: Scotties Rock; Second Place – Bee Realty
If you’ve never attended the Downtown DeLand Dog Parade, mark your calendar for next year’s event. It’s the perfect family event!