Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company’s 93rd annual Fireman’s Carnival kicked off Tuesday evening, June 25, with the annual Pet Parade. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

SAXONBURG — The Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company’s 93rd annual Fireman’s Carnival kicked off on Tuesday evening, June 25, with its traditional opening act, the Pet Parade.

For decades, Saxonburg residents have lined Main Street to watch animals of all shapes and sizes march with their caretakers.

The participants — animal and human alike — lined up in the parking lot of Kiki and Lolo’s Ice Cream, next door to the Saxonburg Memorial Presbyterian Church, the parade’s starting point. By the time the parade began, at least 63 identification plates were issued for marchers.

The animals were not limited solely to the canine and feline variety — among those participating were ducks, chickens, geese, tarantulas, a horse, two donkeys and at least one skunk.

Darrin Mead brought three of his chickens to the parade and rolled them around in a wheeled cage with a miniature disco ball attached to the top. Their names are RooPaul, Lady Ba Gaw Gawk, and Lola and all of them are less than a year old.

“I saw a couple of other chickens here, but I think I’ve got the prettiest,” Mead said.

Some participants went the extra mile and dressed both themselves and their pets in matching, themed costumes.

Marley and Coda Eisenhuth and their pet hens chose a Hawaiian theme for their entry in the carnival’s Pet Parade. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

One of these was the Eisenhuth family, who brought a pair of hens which they pulled down Main Street in a wheeled cage. Both the children, Marley and Coda, as well as the hens, Goldie and Snooki Jr., were dressed in Hawaiian garb.

“We just thought it would be fun, so we just kind of ran with it,” said Maggie Eisenhuth, the mother of Marley and Coda.

Following a “blessing of the pets” from local pastors, the parade kicked off at 6:30, with marchers proceeding down Main Street, toward the Saxonburg Volunteer Fire Company carnival grounds on Horne Avenue.

With more than five dozen entries in the parade, choosing a favorite was difficult. Kubala’s pick was one family’s The Little Mermaid-themed display, with a pet pig as the centerpiece.

“They had the kids dressed up as all the characters in the movie,” Kubala said. “And the pig was the crab. It was cute.”

Bringing up the rear in the parade was Ronny, a 2,300-pound, 8-year-old Belgian draft horse who currently lives at the J&J Farms Animal Sanctuary on Ekastown Road. The sanctuary’s proprietors, Jesse Blake and Jessica Poutous, rescued Ronny after he was auctioned off to be slaughtered.

“He does all of the parades in Saxonburg,” Poutous said. “He did the Christmas parade, and he had a big Santa outfit on at that one.”

A team of three judges decided which pets would receive awards for being the most exceptional in the parade. The eight awards included Smallest Animal, Largest Animal, Most Exotic, Best In Show, Best Theme, Best Group, Fanciest Farm Animal and Best Household Pet.

Prizes included gift certificates for Kiki and Lolo’s Ice Cream, Saxonburg Feed Supply and Mr. Feed.

Amy and Paul Furey took their 3-year-old Great Dane, Brody, to Saxonburg for the annual Pet Parade. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

Among the more unusual animals seen at the Saxonburg pet parade was Jed, a pet skunk belonging to Doris Martymuska. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

Veronica and Cassidy Smith carried their pet tarantulas in the carnival’s Pet Parade. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

Makenzie Rosensteel took her pet goat, Pickles, through the pet parade in Saxonburg on Tuesday. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

Taco the rooster — who belongs to the Staple family of Saxonburg — wore his best tie to the pet parade on Tuesday. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

Delilah Hamm's donkey, Ralphie, gave dog, Sam, a ride through the carnival’s Pet Parade. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

Murphy the basset hound escorted his owners, Keith and Brian Moore, in the carnival's annual Pet Parade. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle

Gia Capone and her chicken, Nugget, walk the pet parade route in Saxonburg on Tuesday evening. Holly Mead/Special to the Eagle