Staging is set for Harmon Park and the route will head north on Harmon to Newport, east on Newport to Wall Street and down Wall to the finish at Drake Park.
It’s the same parade route used for the Christmas Parade, Veterans Parade and others.
In partnership with the City of Bend, the July 4th Pet Parade is a community tradition since 1924. The parade was canceled in 1943 due to World War II and in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic.
Parade Lineup: 9:00 a.m. ★ Parade: 10:00 a.m.
Parade in costume with your pet or stuffed animal on pulled wagons, bikes or trikes or watch all the action on the parade route.
Staging is set for Harmon Park and the route will head north on Harmon to Newport Ave., east on Newport to Wall St. and down Wall to turn and finish at Drake Park. It’s the same parade route used for the Christmas Parade, Veterans Parade and others.
PARADE DETAILS & PARKING:
- No registration necessary.
- Leash up and clean up after your pet.
- No rabbits, cats or aggressive animals.
- Do not give away or sell animals.
- No E-bikes, motorized vehicles, commercial floats, solicitation or distribution of anything, including candy.
- Large animals need to arrive early; trailer parking on Riverside Blvd. Equestrians, please wear helmets.
- Best parking: Outer perimeter of downtown and in parking garage.
- ADA parking at Newport Avenue Church of Christ, downtown parking garage and City of Bend parking lot on Franklin Ave.
- ADA viewing area west of Franklin and Wall St. intersection and at Newport Ave. and Harmon Blvd. intersection.
THANK YOU TO OUR EVENT PARTNER & SPONSORS!
- Event Partner: The City of Bend
- The Bulletin
- Combined Communications Stations: 101.7 and Gold 107.7.
- The Source Weekly
For more information, call (541) 389-7275.
Pet Safety Tips for Warm Temperatures
Tips for Pet Safety in Warm Temperatures at July 4th Pet Parade
If you think your pet will be challenged by warm temperatures at the parade, we encourage you to leave your pet at home and possibly bring a stuffed animal instead.
While tradition calls for fun at the 4th of July Pet Parade, Bend weather can sometimes be rather warm on the holiday. As parade host, Bend Park & Recreation District wants parade participants’ pets to remain healthy and safe in hot weather.
“Warm weather can bring a danger to our pets that we do not always consider. Heat strokes are a sad but common occurrence here in Central Oregon where we have numerous days above 90 degrees,” according to the Bend Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center.
“Dogs’ main cooling mechanism is through respiration or panting and they do not handle heat as well as humans do. Inadequate shade/cover and/or hydration on a hot day can put even the healthiest pet at risk for overheating.”
Tips for keeping your pet comfortable at the Pet Parade include:
- Before and after the parade, find a cool, shaded place to rest.
- Staging begins at 9:00 am; the parade starts promptly at 10:00 am.
- Provide plenty of fresh water, available at parade staging area and en route – just look for the orange flags. Bring a water bottle for you and your pet as well.
- Allow dogs to cool off in the water pools at the staging area.
- Keep an eye on your pet’s foot pads for overheating or soreness.
- Do not leave your pet in the car, not even for a minute.
- Learn to recognize the signs of heat stroke: Faster, heavier panting; excessive thirst and/or drooling with hanging strands of saliva; increased pulse/ heartbeat; barking, whining or signs of agitation; dark-colored gums or tongue; glassy eyes; elevated body temperature and staggering, weakness, collapse, seizures and/or unconsciousness.
The Bend Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center warns that obese and long-haired animals hold a greater risk to heat stroke due to added insulation. They also noted that heat strokes can commonly occur in brachycephalic dog breeds (ie. Pugs, Bulldogs, boxers, etc.) as their pug-noses offer a less efficient respiratory and cooling mechanism.
Before, during and after the parade, a veterinarian will be on site at the staging area by the Information/First Aid booth. If you think your pet may be having a heat stroke at the parade, it is advised to move the animal to the Information Booth shaded area immediately and request assistance. If at any time you believe your pet may be suffering from heat stroke, contact your regular veterinarian or the Bend Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center at (541) 385-9110.
When is the Pet Parade?
It is on July 4th! Lineup will begin at 9:00 a.m. at Harmon Park, with the parade starting at 10:00 a.m.
What is the parade route?
The route changed in 2022. The parade begins at Harmon Park, goes across the river, through downtown and ends in Drake Park, following a similar route to the Christmas and Veteran’s Day parades.
How do I participate? Do I need to register or sign up to participate?
All ages are welcome. Parade in costume with your pet or stuffed animal. No registration needed. Lineup begins at 9:00 a.m. at Harmon Park. Participants with large animals are encouraged to arrive early. Livestock trailer parking is available on Riverside Blvd.
Where should I park?
Parking is available at the Bend-La Pine Schools Administration Building, Troy Field parking lot, outer downtown area, parking garage and surrounding area. Bike commuting is encouraged with bike parking available in Harmon Park.
Parade participants that need livestock trailer parking will be asked to park along Riverside Blvd, between Kansas Ave. and Tumalo Ave. ADA accessible parking is located at Newport Ave. Church of Christ, in the City of Bend parking lot on the corner of Franklin Ave. and Wall St., and in the downtown parking garage.
Is there anything I should bring with me?
Please bring your own refillable water bottles as well as poop bags to pick up after your pet. If you’re riding a bike or a horse, please wear your helmet.
What’s not allowed at the parade?
Please leave your rabbits, cats and aggressive animals at home. No E-bikes, solicitation, commercials floats, motorized vehicles, motorcycles or distribution of anything, including candy.
How do I volunteer at the parade?
Details about volunteer opportunities are on the July 4th webpage on the BPRD website. You can also contact:
Send email to
Will the Old-Fashioned Festival occur in Drake Park?
The festival is on hiatus. BPRD is focused on the parade. Coordinating the festival required a great deal of staff time and resources that are better spent on summer recreation programs and outreach efforts. On July 4th, Drake Park will be available for casual park use.
Volunteer and be part of this cherished community celebration.
- July 4th – 8:30 am to 12 noon
Volunteers are needed to help with event set up, monitor road closures along the parade route, assist in the finish area, lend a hand with clean up and more.
The parade will start at Harmon Park, travel up Newport Avenue, pass through downtown Bend on Wall Street and end in Drake Park near the stage.
Volunteer opportunities are best for volunteers age 16 and over. Younger children are welcome if accompanying an adult volunteer.
Volunteers will be contacted by email with more details for their assignment.
Click the link to sign up today: VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
For more information, contact:
Send email to
Bend Pet Parade History & Fun Facts: Did you know?
Yesteryear:
- The first mention of the Pet Parade was in the Bend Bulletin dated June 21, 1924.
- In 1932, Doris Grubb won first place in the first Pet Parade with her cat riding in a baby stroller. In 2005, Doris, at age 77, returned to the Pet Parade again for Bend’s 100th year anniversary.
- There were 5,000 spectators at the 1932 Pet Parade and all through the 1930’s there was no less than 5,000 spectators at each parade.
- A badger won 6th place in the 1932 Pet Parade.
- In 1933 Louise Stacy won first place in the girls division dressed up as the Statue of Liberty. She only received the vote of two judges due to her chewing gum and that the Statues of Liberty in New York was not a gum chewer, causing unrest with the judges!
- Parade sections had to be well planned to avert scuffles between the animals.
- Just like today, there were a variety of unique pets in the 1930’s including June bugs, cats, deer, badgers, gold fish, chickens, squirrels, ducks, oxen, calves, a pet eagle, baby coyotes, and two fawns in a netted baby buggy.
- In 1933, “cross dogs and rattle snakes” were barred from the parade. In the 2000’s, we have replaced that with “no aggressive dogs allowed”… nothing changes!
- A special treat of lemonade was passed out to all the participants by the Bend Fire Dept. The tradition continues today with popsicles for all participating kids.
- There were very few pets entered in the 1941 Pet Parade
- In 1943, there was no formal celebration as it was World War II.
Today:
- Bend Park and Recreation has organized and produced the Pet Parade since 1949, when time Park and Recreation was part of the city.
- In 2014, the Pet Parade was designated as an Oregon Heritage Tradition by the Oregon Heritage Commission.
- Today’s Pet Parade features an estimated 8,000+ participants and spectators.
- It’s the largest parade in Bend.
- Variety of animals are in the parade each year, from dogs, horses, llamas, gold fish, chickens and rats, to lizards, goats, bulls, cows, sheep and guinea pigs… to name just a few!
- The parade is a great regional draw for the community. It’s goofy, off the wall and is a much-loved tradition of Bend!
July 4th Old Fashioned Festival – on hiatus
Generations of Bend residents enjoyed the simplicity of the festival. Three-legged races, watermelon eating and pie eating contests, and flinging fish into the river, in addition to live music, food and beverages is what made this event so special.
Drake Park has a full schedule of events each summer and we need to reduce our impact on this iconic park.
We appreciate all that craft vendors have contributed to the event in the past and encourage past July 4th festival attendees to seek them out at other community events.
For more information, contact:
Send email to