The Gaslamp Pet Parade and Pups in the Pub Party returned to the Gaslamp Quarter on December 16th. Furry friends came with their owners dressed in holiday costumes. Festivities began with the Gaslamp Holiday Expo in the MLK Park in front of the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. Pet booths were set up presenting their latest pet products.

Holiday tunes were playing and many of the booths were giving out dog treats. There were photo ops with Santa Claus. One of the booths there at the Expo was the FrostedFaces Foundation which is a Senior Animal Rescue. Friends of Cats, Inc had information on adopting cats. Wild Hare Bar Garden had info on their monthly Yappy Hour.

Gaslamp Pet Parade 2023

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1. Best in Show winner Mary Salinas with Cinnabella Buns (Photos by Diana Cavagnaro)

2. Best matching costume was awarded to Corinne Hajjan, Clover and Pumi.

3. Sonja Wicker and her dog Moki were awarded Best Christmas Spirit for their reindeer stables.

4. Sira and Monica Vindiola won Most Outrageous Costume.

5. Best Group Costume winners Truman, Capote and Kathleen McLaughlin pose with the real Santa.

6. Grand Marshall Sir Winston Cooper won Best in Show last year.

7. Montgomery High School Marching Band played music for the marching pets.

8. Jan Savage with Fritzle

9. One brave cat marched in the parade.

The parade began at 1 p.m. under the arch on 5th Avenue. The sidewalks were filled with spectators urging the participants on. Sir Winston Cooper, who was last year’s winner for Best in Show, led the parade. Montgomery High School and Hoover High School marching bands added to the celebration. Euphoria Brass Band also brought merriment to the event.

Winners for the costume contest were announced on the stage at the Pups in the pup Party at the Hilton San Diego Gaslamp Quarter. Awards and amazing gifts were handed out to:

1. Best Parade Float Costume: This award was given to Achilles Roe and Bobbie Roe for the pet with the best parade float costume.

2. Best Christmas Spirit: Awarded to the pet donning the most festive costume at the pet parade. This was the Reindeer Stables with Sonja Wicker and her dog Moki.

3. Best Matching Costume (Owner/Pet): The most festive matching costume at the pet parade was Clover, Pumi and Corinne Hajjan.

4. Cutest Pet: This award was given to Maui and Sofia Takelian for the most awe-inspiring outfit at the Pet Parade.

5. Most Outrageous Costume: Awarded to Sira and Monica Vindiola for the most all-around creative and elaborate pet costume.

6. Best Group Costume: (3 or more) – Awarded to Truman, Capote and Kathleen McLaughlin for the best costumed group of three or more in the Pet Parade.

Best in Show: Awarded to Cinnabella Buns and Mary Salinas for the show-stopping, best costume of the Pet Parade. This award is given to the best of the best, and the winner is invited to be the Grand Marshall next year.

For more information about the next Pet Parade stay tuned at gaslamp.org/.