The pair was simply bursting with pep. From the fluffy, little pom-poms tucked into the hair behind their ears to the flaring skirt made of hot pink polyester and silver spangles, they were as feminine and perky as any junior high cheerleader in America. The only difference was that they had tails.

Saturday, Sept. 24 marked what will most likely be Oberlin’s first annual Doggie Doo Parade.

“We hope this will be our first annual,” said Marianne Cochrane, a member of the planning committee. “Judging from the crowd today it’s a success.”

And it was a very large crowd. Tappan Square was overrun with dogs, dog owners and various worshippers of all things cute. Winding throughout the entire park were countless booths. Some were advocating for dog-related organizations like veterinary offices, obedience schools, pet groomers, animal shelters and even pet psychiatrists. A fair few were putting dogs up for adoption right then and there.

However, most were vendors. They were selling all kinds of dog paraphernalia –both traditional and more tailored to fit the event. There were leashes, collars, treats, sweaters and even something called “an invisible fence.”

There also were jewelry vendors with pins that were specially made to look like dogs. There were clothing vendors selling shirts decorated with silk-screened puppies and toy stands with little stuffed doggies. One could find everything that could be stamped with an image of a dog.

“The city’s Chamber of Commerce has been looking for a signature event that nobody else does in the county,” said Cochrane. “There’s no redeeming social value, it’s just a fun event to do.”

A driving force behind the event was Jan Pierce, the former executive director of the Chamber of Commerce.

“I asked to be an executive member of this committee as a volunteer,” said Pierce. “This is my love because of the dogs. I’d take home all these dogs except mine wouldn’t like it. My dog’s an only dog.”

Giving a home to a dog was the issue that this event was really taking to heart. All the proceeds, after recouping expenses, are to go to Community Action to Save Strays, Oasis dog shelter, Erie Shores Humane Society, Lorain County Animal Protective League and Lorain County Kennel.

Also important to the organizers was boosting the image of Oberlin in the surrounding region to a higher level of visibility and popularity.“We went to the bed-tax funding to budget this,” said Pierce. “That money is supposed to be used to promote Oberlin. We could have used it for ads but we wanted an event that would appeal, not only to the people of Oberlin and students, but that would bring outside people in.

“We think a lot of people came in from out of town. We’re delighted. We think we’ve drawn a really good crowd,” he continued. “We think it will grow.”

The event wound down until it was finally time for the parade itself. Dogs, owners and spectators gathered at the memorial arch to line up. It was a colorful grouping as many were still dressed from the earlier dog costume competition.

There were weenie dogs accompanied by humans dressed as ketchup and mustard; a dog wearing goggles; a dog draped in an American flag; dogs in football jerseys; a little girl in a Dorothy outfit complete with Toto and a Chihuahua dressed as a taco ; the winner of the contest in a tie with a team of rescue dogs dressed as the Flintstones complete with car.

A gentleman in a bowler hat brought up the rear with a car that looked like it belonged in 1908, accompanied by a small dog in a pointed blue collar.

“The thing that this is all about — that we have to keep reminding people of — is that this is about the dogs,” concluded Pierce.