Patty Bradley Shay Allen
Do Dah Day
The 2016 Do Dah Day parade and festival has raised over $1.3 million for Jefferson County animal shelters since 1992. Photo by Patty Bradley
Do Dah Day returns to Caldwell and Rhodes Parks in Southside on May 20 with its wacky but family-friendly event that uses a pet parade, live music and a spring-festival atmosphere to raise money for local animal welfare groups. The annual event is in its 39th year.
The festive, colorful Do Dah Day Parade will begin at 11:01 a.m., and organizers — on the event’s website — have issued a call for all sorts of participants, including mimes, clowns, dancers and marching bands, as well as anyone who wishes to walk in the parade with a pet.
The event will offer kids’ activities including basketball, bungee jumping, face painting and hair weaving.
Festivities begin the night of May 19 with Do Dah Eve — an event at Blue Monkey Lounge on Cobb Lane featuring some of the people campaigning to become Do Dah Day King and Queen.
The event, which began in 1979, is staged by Do Dah Day Inc., an all-volunteer nonprofit that has raised more than $1.3 million since 1992.
For more information — including parade prizes and entry fees, how to become a vendor or volunteer and details regarding Do Dah Eve and musical acts — go to dodahday.org.
