Patriotic pups take over Evanston’s Fourth of July parade, uniting dog-loving community
Decked out in red, white and blue, riding on floats, or marching with their owners, the furriest attendees of the city’s annual Fourth of July parade lined Evanston’s Central Street.
“When you walk down the streets, everyone is so friendly and everyone always says, ‘Can I meet your dog?’” said Brandy Trafman, Evanston resident and teacher at Willard Elementary School. “I know all the dogs on the block, and I know what everyone’s dogs’ names are.”
Local businesses–many of which are dog-friendly–were prepared for the canine onslaught.
“When we’re at the parade, we always have the water bowl out. I set up the tent to provide [shade] too,” said Dave Gulyas, who has co-owned the Evanston pet store, Follow Your Nose, with his wife for the past 27 years.
Gulyas’ shop was one of the few open along the parade route, offering a place for people and their pets to cool off from the heat.
Trafman’s 9-year-old Maltese, Chester, watched the parade from his owner’s lap. She said it’s an annual tradition to attend the parade with Chester, who, like many other dogs, eagerly jumped at the opportunity to meet the children who passed by.
“My favorite memory with Chester is when I’m sitting at the parade and having my kindergarten students sit out with Chester. It really touches my heart, bringing my personal life into my students’ lives, watching them bond with my dog,” Trafman said.
While many dogs dutifully watched the parade, others basked in the spotlight, strutting alongside their owners in participating groups or catching a whiff of hot dogs from a passing car in the parade’s lineup.
Reuben Taylor, a 92-year-old parade attendee from Chicago and member of a Miata car group, returned to the parade this year with two companions: Star, a recently rescued 5-year-old, and Poppy, a 9-year-old rescue. He had previously attended the parade with his beloved late poodle, Phoebe..
“Phoebe really wanted to ride up here on this car deck,” Taylor said, gesturing to the back of his convertible.
Now, he hopes that Star and Poppy — though slightly less adventurous — will perch there during the parade, recreating fond memories of his longtime companion.