Faribault Pet Parade and Blue Collar Festival Celebrate Summer

The Faribault Pet Parade is Thursday, August 11, 2022 and Blue Collar Festival moves to Teepee Tonka Park Friday and Saturday, August 12 and 13, 2022.

The Pet Parade began in 1931 and is believed to be the oldest in the nation.  There were some years with no parade during World War II but the pandemic in 2020 did not stop the event so this is the 86th Faribault Pet Parade.

A 4th of July Pet Parade in Bend, Oregon started in 1932. They missed the last two years due to COVID.  Edmonds, Washington has a parade of pets during their Octoberfest Family Festival September 24, 2022.  They also did not have parades the past two years.

The Purina Pet Parade in St. Louis, Missouri claims to be the World's Largest Costumed Pet Parade.  It's held in February of each year.  They award prizes for the Best Dressed Pets and crown a King and Queen Barkus.

The Faribault Pet Parade features lots of animals but over the years so that every child could participate non-pet categories like trikes, bikes, scooters, skateboards, rollerblades, wagons and costumes were developed.

This year's theme is Superheroes.  The parade starts 7:00 p.m. beginning at 9th Street and 2nd Avenue NW, going south on 2nd Avenue then west on 5th Street and concluding at Central Park

Following the Pet Parade the weekly Summer Concert Series at Central Park Thursday features Kidsdance DJ's (an interactive Kid's DJ).

When I stopped by the park to snap a photo of the Pet Parade Mural the Spirit Team was practicing for their performance during the concert following the parade.

I couldn't resist getting some photos because they were so cute.

The first category is Scouts and the parade ends with horses.  You remember the old saying "Never follow a horse in a parade."

The Blue Collar Festival is a baby compared to the Pet Parade.  In it's 14th year the event has undergone a few name changes and this year was moved to Teepee Tonka Park, former home to the Tree Frog Festival.

Blue Collar is Friday and Saturday with a Friday night car roll-in.  Live music begins 5:00 p.m. Friday night and Saturday features 12 hours of music.

There will be the Blue Collar Market Place, food vendors, R/C Demo Derby, Bags Tournament sponsored by J.O.D. Limited Accounting.  The Faribault High School Class of 1982 will have their reunion there.

Sunday the Blue Collar Red Eye Golf Tournament takes place at Straight River Golf Course  with music on the patio featured.

In addition to the music and food Saturday the 8th Annual Run Baby Run for Life event takes place to raise funds for the Pregnancy Options Lifecare Center.

Here is the Blue Collar website for more details about the music filled weekend you can experience in Faribault.

The acoustics in Teepee Tonka are excellent unlike in the middle of town with buildings all around.

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