Fourth Annual Bernal Heights Pet Parade: A Community Celebration
The Origin Story
What started as a simple idea between friends has become one of Bernal Heights’ most beloved community events. Ronnie, who works as manager at the Lucky Horseshoe Bar, launched the pet parade four years ago with a straightforward motivation:
“I don’t have kids, and so I was like, you know, I see all these kids dressed up, and I have four dogs. I want to dress my dogs up and go walk around and ask for candy and stuff too!”
The grassroots beginning was charmingly DIY: “I just was like, I’m gonna start a pet parade. And I don’t even know who I asked or even if it was okay with the neighborhood. I just was like, I’m gonna do it. Made posters, and it all started from there.”
Growing Pains and Lessons Learned
The event’s success brought unexpected challenges. By the second year, attendance had grown dramatically – “from zero to 60 real quick” – creating logistical issues that the organizers hadn’t anticipated.
As dog trainer Steph Miller from Bernal Beast explains, “There was a little bit of trepidation on my end just having that many dogs in one space. So we didn’t get to congregate after the parade to mingle and conduct a real costume contest because we didn’t have any place to put all these people and their animals safely in a tight space.”
The breakthrough came last year when Good Life provided parking spaces for the after-party, allowing for proper crowd management and the addition of a costume contest.
2025 Event Details – Bernal Heights Pet Parade
When:
- Sunday, October 26th (the Sunday before Halloween)
- Time: Starting at noon
- Location: Meet at Holly Park, parade through the neighborhood
Schedule:
- Noon: Gathering at Holly Park
- Opening remarks and possible pet blessing (organizers reaching out to local religious institutions)
- Parade through Bernal Heights
- After-party at Lucky Horseshoe Bar and Good Life parking area
- Costume contest with prizes from local businesses
Community Collaboration
The parade has become a true neighborhood effort, with local Cortland Avenue businesses providing:
- Prize donations for costume contest winners
- Water bowls outside participating shops
- Dog treats (donated by Bernal Beast) for distribution during the parade
“Having all the businesses involved and generously contributing gift cards and the like from the various shops on Cortland makes for great exposure to the businesses on our block,” notes Steph.
Special Features This Year
Fundraising Component: Ronnie plans to create animal-themed cocktails, such as “The Pagarita,” with $1 from each sale going to support local rescue organizations.
What Makes It Special
Beyond the costumes and competition, the pet parade serves a deeper community function. As Ronnie observes, “A lot of people in Bernal may not have kids. And so people are really starting to see how much we all love our animals. This community is very dog-friendly.”
The event has successfully introduced residents to local businesses they didn’t know existed, while creating connections between pet owners in the neighborhood.
Practical Information
The event remains free and family-friendly, welcoming all pets and their humans. While the organizers joke about their “hodgepodge” approach, the informal atmosphere is part of the charm.
For updates and information:
- Check Bernal Beast‘s social media and newsletter
- Look for posters around the neighborhood starting late September
- Watch for announcements on Bernal Connect and Halloween on Cortland websites
A Growing Tradition
Now in its fourth year, the pet parade represents the kind of organic community building that makes neighborhoods special. From one person’s desire to dress up her four dogs to a multi-business collaborative celebration, it demonstrates how simple ideas can blossom into beloved traditions.
As the event continues to grow and potentially formalize, the organizers remain committed to maintaining its accessible, community-focused spirit, while ensuring that all the neighborhood’s pets and their owners can participate safely in the fun.