ELMHURST – Guinea pigs, birds, snakes, fish, dogs and cats have been among the many participants of the Elmhurst Pet Parade in past and present years.

The expected "motley crew" of a variety of breeds and species of pets will add to the excitement of the Elmhurst Pet Parade, which is coming back after a few years on hiatus, said Jennifer Dunham, one of the directors of the Kiwanis Club of Elmhurst.

"I'm really looking forward to [seeing] what people bring," Dunham said.

Elmhurst's Spring Road Business Association and the Kiwanis Club have partnered to bring back the parade in an event that will begin at 11:30 a.m. May 19 at Silverado Grill, 447 S. Spring Road, Elmhurst.

Dunham said the event aligns with the Kiwanis mission of serving children, and the club wants to do more events to publicize the work it does so that more people might get involved in Kiwanis events and initiatives.

"I just think it's going to be a really cool event to just get the people in the town together, " she said.

Elmhurst veterinarian Dr. John DeVries, treasurer for the Spring Road Business Association, said a "very contagious" dog flu hit the area shortly before the 2015 pet parade, so organizers decided to cancel the event that year. In 2016 and 2017, they were still hesitant to bring it back and also needed some new leadership. The Kiwanis Club's interest this year provided that support for bringing the event back.

DeVries said this is the first year event organizers have really capitalized on using social media to promote the event, and he's expecting a good turnout.

Prizes, which include ribbon recognition, will be awarded to the most obedient, best-dressed, oldest and best-groomed pets, as well as the most original pet trick.

"It's a really cute event. It's family focused," said DeVries, who gets to emcee the pet tricks competition. "It's all about the kids and their pets. This is not high-level competition by any means."

The pet tricks, which will be performed this year in the parking lot of the Silverado Grill, are DeVries' favorite part of the event.

"Some [tricks] are sophisticated, some are not. Some pets perform, a lot don't because there's a lot of stress. They're in the middle of a circle with all sorts of animals around. But kids always try their best, and it's always great to see," he said.

Pet tricks and an awards ceremony will follow the parade's conclusion with its return to the Silverado Grill. Epiphany Lutheran Church Senior Pastor the Rev. Ron Feltman also will give a pet blessing after the parade's conclusion.

Dunham said there will be a photographer from On the Spot Photo Magnets coming around the event to create free photo magnets "on the spot" for people who attend the event. The photo magnets will feature pets and their owners, along with details about the pet parade, she said.

Pet adoption services will be on site, and the event organizers also will accept nonperishable items and cash donations for the Elmhurst-Yorkfield Food Pantry. The city of Elmhurst also supports the event with financial and marketing support, DeVries said.

"It just feels good to partner with all these different groups that might, on the surface, feel like they have different objectives, but we really don't. It's just kind of community-building, I think, to pull all of us together and just support the work that each of these organizations is doing," Dunham said. "Just feels like the right thing to do."

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If you go

WHAT: Elmhurst's 24th Pet Parade

WHEN: Event begins at 11:30 a.m. May 19 with face tattoos, moon jump and photography, parade kicks off at 1 p.m.

WHERE: starts at Silverado Grill, 447 S. Spring Road, Elmhurst

COST: Free

INFO: shawurl.com/39cx