Marcos Balzaretti, from Casa Dei Bambini, hands out balloons to students and parents from the school marching in the 93rd annual Palo Alto May Fete Parade on May 2. Photo by Veronica Weber.
Allie Corey, 3, waits with her mom Jen Corey for the 93rd annual Palo Alto May Fete Parade to begin on May 2. Photo by Veronica Weber.
Kids and adults watch as parade marchers make their way onto University Avenue from Emerson Street to begin 93rd annual Palo Alto May Fete Parade on May 2. Photo by Veronica Weber.
Palo Alto Police Chief Dennis Burns, left, waves to onlookers as the 93rd annual Palo Alto May Fete Parade rolls on its way down University Avenue. Photo by Veronica Weber.
Colorful costumes were a highlight of the 93rd annual Palo Alto May Fete Parade on May 2. Photo by Veronica Weber.
The 93rd annual Palo Alto May Fete Parade also featured pets, such as this dog all dressed up in a T-shirt. Photo by Veronica Weber.
Children and parents march down University Avenue during the 93rd annual Palo Alto May Fete Parade on May 2. Photo by Veronica Weber.
Finola Begraft, 4, and other children from Grace Lutheran Church ride down University Avenue clad in colorful costumes and balloons. Photo by Veronica Weber.
The Boy Scouts walk down University Avenue as part of the 93rd annual Palo Alto May Fete Parade on May 2. Photo by Veronica Weber.
Colorful Chinese lion dancers perform for the crowds during the 93rd annual Palo Alto May Fete Parade on May 2. Photo by Veronica Weber.
Members of the crowd stop to take pictures of the Chinese lion dancers performing at the 93rd annual Palo Alto May Fete Parade on May 2. Photo by Veronica Weber.
Students from Casa dei Bambini march along University Avenue during the 93rd annual May Fete Parade on May 2. Photo by Veronica Weber.
Drummers from the JLS Middle School marching band perform during the 93rd annual Palo Alto May Fete Parade on May 2. Photo by Veronica Weber.
From left, Skylar Diamond, 4, Rachael Avery, Kseniya Read and husband Charlie with their daughter Sofia and dog Sandy, all watch the marchers of the 93rd annual Palo Alto May Fete Parade on University Avenue on May 2. Photo by Veronica Weber.
A drummer in the Stanford Marching Band skates past the crowd on University Avenue on May 2. Photo by Veronica Weber.
Colorful costumes were a highlight of the 93rd annual Palo Alto May Fete Parade on May 2. Photo by Veronica Weber.
Deborah Anthonyson of the Palo Alto Chldren’s Library, blows bubbles out to the crowd gathered on University Avenue during the 93rd annual Palo Alto May Fete Parade on May 2. Photo by Veronica Weber.
Previous
Next
Hundreds gathered on University Avenue in downtown Palo Alto and surrounding blocks on Saturday, May 2, for the 93rd annual City of Palo Alto May Fete Children's Parade.
This year's theme was "No Space to Alienate" -- a play on outer space and a call for kids to be themselves and welcome the uniqueness of others, according to parade organizers.
The grand marshall of the parade was Magaly Gonzalez Sipperley, a propulsion engineer at Space Systems Loral (SSL) in Palo Alto, which builds commercial satellites for companies like DIRECTV and Google's Skybox Imaging.
Mayor Karen Holman escorted Palo Alto Perry, a 3-foot-tall stuffed donkey and the city's newest ambassador, down University Avenue in the parade. The mascot is part of a new two-month social-media campaign in which people throughout the city will "host" Perry, taking pictures of him at neighborhood landmarks and leaving notes in his saddlebag detailing what they love about the city.
In addition to the classic categories of paraders -- kids with wheels, kids with flags, kids with pets -- the city's high school robotics teams also participated in the parade, as well as anti-bullying groups such as Gunn High School's "Not In Our Schools."
Comments
Leland Manor/Garland Drive
on May 4, 2015 at 12:33 pm
on May 4, 2015 at 12:33 pm
I can remember when the parade was called the "Pet Parade" with younsters pulling wagons carrying their dogs, cats ,rabbits etc aboard. It was a glorious event we await for all year.
Old Palo Alto
on May 4, 2015 at 5:16 pm
on May 4, 2015 at 5:16 pm
The parade was fun years ago when the parade was called the Pet Parade. Children dressed up their dogs and decorated their bikes and wagons. Now the parade mostly consists of parents in tee shirts walking with their kids in the parade. Boring.
Crescent Park
on May 3, 2016 at 7:36 pm
on May 3, 2016 at 7:36 pm
I agree with Gail. The parade used to be more interesting and fun with mostly kids in costumes or with pets marching down University; now it's mostly parents with their children - not in costume - walking down the street. Totally boring. They should jazz it up - have contests between schools and clubs to see who can create the best floats and/or costumes.
My favorite part of the parade is listening to the marching bands. I remember when the kids wore uniforms; now they wear teeshirts and jeans. I miss the old days.
Professorville
on May 4, 2016 at 12:01 am
on May 4, 2016 at 12:01 am
I don't think it is even called a Children's Parade anymore. Local businesses and institutions promoting themselves have taken it over. yawn.