The National Cherry Festival’s annual Kid Pet Show unleashed all kinds of pets.
“This is Katie. She’s definitely the most adventurous and curious of our three cats,” said Archie Arvanitakis, contestant. “She’s also the only one that that wouldn’t have claws out the whole time if we brought the other ones to this.”
Kids gathered around F&M Park to show off their best friend. Costumes were all in different themes, from construction men to a knight and his king. Everyone went all out to strut the cat walk.
“It was really fun,” said Arvanitakis. “Oh, she’s my favorite cat. Usually she’s kind of scared of me, but when she’s not as afraid, we can do this little trick with less temptations. We’re like, if you hold it above her, she’ll reach out with her like paws and try to grab it next.”
Kids were eager to take the stage, entering their pets in categories like; ‘The Most Royal’ ‘Cherry Themed’ ‘Best Dressed’ ‘Most Unusual Pet’ ‘Most Patriotic.’
“Soon as we heard about it, we’re like, yes, we want to do this,” said Adrianna & Alena Bingham. “So we just chose patriotic theme because for one, we have a lot of stuff from 4th of July last year that would have probably fit them. And second of all, we were going to Dollar Tree. So that’s where we got the rings and stuff. Plus, our dogs, they kind of bark when the debates happen. Like as if they’re talking or having opinions, which I think is hilarious.”
Some kids have done the pet fashion show many times before but this is an event they don’t want to miss.
“We did this many times before. So we’re used to it,” said Piper And Paisley Bossert, contestant. “So, what is their costume? It’s a little dinosaur. We like to put them in the chicken coop. They usually just sit and eat grass.”
Each animal has their own personality and the kids were ready to showcase them on stage.
“Maizy can be very sassy, but lovable,” said Adrianna. “She loves doing her. She loves snuggling sometimes. And she loves bathing and watching out the window.”
“Penny, sometimes she gets over excited and she has some anxiety, but she’s a really loving dog,” said Alena. “Love sitting out with people. She sometimes gets a little bit nervous, but she is really loving and cares about other people and dogs.”
The tortoises are a little more introverted.
“So he wants to just be on the on her own,” said Piper And Paisley Bossert. “He’s mostly more shy. Yeah.”
“My guinea pigs name is, Graham Cracker,” said Harper Poren. “Because she’s, tan and white cold. He’s only four months old. He was wearing the chicken costume. When I got him, I found it, and I was like, dad, can we please get this chicken costume?
“What was it like going up on stage and showing off your guinea pig?”
“Nervous…I hope they think he’s the most unusual, animal,“ said Harper.
And Alena says she is nervous too.
“Oh, it was very nervous,” said Alena. “And sometimes I get, like this weird feeling in my stomach where I get really nervous. But once I’m up there, I start to feel good and I feel really happy. You guys said. And the dogs were very well-behaved up there. Oh, that’s a first. “