Traverse City Record-Eagle

2011 Cherry Festival

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  • Ariana Shokoohi, 9, of Saginaw, walks her Newfoundland dog, Mudge. Both were dressed in diving-themed apparel on Tuesday during the pet and owner look-alike portion of the National Cherry Festival Kids' Pet Show at F&M Park. Record-Eagle/Keith King

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July 6, 2011

Children showcase animals at F&M Park

By Carol South Special to the Record-Eagle

TRAVERSE CITY -- A morning menagerie filled F&M Park.

Animal participants in the National Cherry Festival Kids' Pet Show featured a little bit of everything. Whether purebred dog or mutt, albino hedgehog or lionhead rabbit, chicken, hamster or domestic cat, the plainest pedigree had a moment in the spotlight.

Even the one-eyed goldfish, accompanied by his pirate-garbed owner, earned his due.

Julie Taft's children -- Abbie, 6, and Austin, 2 -- showed Freckle, a tiny kitten she jokingly predicted might be eligible for the Fat Cat category next year. The rescued kitten lodged patiently in Abbie's arms, and drew many eager petters before his turn in the spotlight. On stage before the judges, the kitten elicited a universal "awww" from the crowd.

"This is great for the kids to be able to do this," said Taft, of Leelanau County. "It's just fun to be able to do a small-town thing here."

A panel of three judges evaluated contestants in each of four categories besides the final Fat Cat: Look-Alike, Best Ensemble, Best Dressed and Most Unusual.

Corralling restless pets was sometimes challenging, though most waited patiently. Only a few bunnies temporarily escaped while one resourceful cat darted under a lemonade stand. The owner retrieved her pet in time to cross the stage.

Judges, too, had their work cut out for them. It is a tough call selecting the top finishers in each category, said Mike Cherry, a third-year judge and executive director of the Cherryland Humane Society.

"They're all so important to every child," he said of the pets.

Olivia Strom, 8, of Traverse City took home a second-place ribbon in the Best Dressed category thanks to her bunny, Oscar. The Holland lop is just one of her pets; she has two other bunnies, a goldfish and a dog at home. Oscar got tapped for the event because his light-colored coat would withstand the heat best.

"He likes potato chips and bananas," said Olivia, as Oscar rested in a basket next to a partially eaten banana. "Bunnies are so soft and sweet."

Creative costuming garnered Krina Riebschieger, 9, and her Jack Russell terrier puppy a first-place ribbon in Best Ensemble. Participating in their first Kids' Pet Show, the Traverse City pair were dressed in matching Cherry Queen outfits.

"I love animals, all of them," said Krina as her mom, Lori, added: "They're her best friends."

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