Do Dah Day back for 39th year with music, pet parade

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.