There are moments when Santa Fe expresses itself beyond being the City Different. These outtakes from our traditional Pet Parade is one of the events. In fact, everyone seems to mark their calendars and start talking about Fiesta months ahead and as soon as the snow begins to melt.
Perhaps because the weather accelerated from a mild winter to a late spring, I am always back walking on our Historic Plaza. And then I remember... Desfile de los Ninos and our amazing Pet Parade. You see, Santa Feans love their Historic Plaza and given truly any opportunity in the past 402 years parades will quickly become a tradition. The celebration of Fiesta is one of those amazing smartphone moments (formerly Kodak) moments when it seems all Santa Feans come together with their pets and parade together through the Plaza.
In between the high school marching bands and the fire trucks, various versions of "pets" in the form of spiders, lizards, chickens, goats, rabbits, puppies, kittens, dogs and cats parade like one big happy family! There are no hisses, barking, growling or feathers flying, only lots of laughter in between applause. The parade just seems to happen like magic. It is an unrehearsed, unplanned, undirected event very anticipated by everyone. It is always worth being here to either join the parade or enjoy the event from sidelines.
The other 364 days are often equally as priceless if you happen to wander into the heartbeat of the city and sit on a Plaza bench and watch what happens next. This is what happens when a city now in her 402th year loves being different and where everyone is welcome!
If you are in Santa Fe during our Fall Fiesta, you absolutely must get to the Plaza early and be ready to experience a truly unforgettable community event. It is beyond a pet friendly entertainment experience. It is truly the day when our Pets Rule Santa Fe!
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