306 Dogs Plus One Guinea Pig Bark-B-Q and Parade on 4th

306 dogs, one and their guardians gathered to participate in the third annual Pooches on Parade and Bark-B-Q held by the Half Moon Bay Rotary Club on July 4 after the Main St. .

All different breeds of dogs could be seen at the event, including two sibling labradors named Max and Ellie. “I went to a parade in Pescadero and Ellie started marching even though she wasn’t entered,” said Elsa Wyant, Loma Mar resident. “She said ‘Oh look at all those important people marching in the parade — that must mean I should,’” Wyant said of Ellie.

The experience inspired Wyant and her family to sign up Ellie and Max for this year's Pooches on Parade.

Barbara Grippi, who traveled all the way from Pennsylvania for a third year in a row, participated in the parade and Bark-B-Q with her dog Max (a Cocker Bichon). “Max loves it. It’s a piece of America that has sort of been forgotten,” said Grippi.

Moss Beach resident Laura Hayes brought her dog Lila and , a guinea pig.

“He’s becoming famous in Half Moon Bay,” said Hayes. “Everybody knows him.”

“He goes everywhere she goes,” said Laura’s mom Beverly. Soon, mother and daughter said, Winston will have his own blog called “Winston’s World.”

Pooches on Parade and Bark-B-Q are organized by the Half Moon Bay Rotary Club (the presenting sponsor) and husband and wife team .

“We wanted to do it to increase Rotary awareness because many people don’t know the difference between Rotary and the Lions Club,” said Marcia Traversaro, a Rotarian. “It gives families a chance to be in the parade and energizes the spirit of the community.”

The number of dogs taking part has increased since it began three years ago. In the first year, 108 participated, while 234 were on hand for the second.

“We are most proud that 49 percent of the participants are non-Coastsiders and 51 percent are Coastsiders,” said Marcia Traversaro. “It brings people into the Coastside community to shop and eat here.”

Palo Alto resident Beliz Eryilmaz donated her time at this year's Pooches on Parade. “I love dogs, so I wanted to help out,” said Eryilmaz. “I’ve volunteered for different events, but this has been the most fun.”

Both the entry into the parade and the Bark-B-Q were free events to preregistered participants. All proceeds from donations, sponsors and a raffle went towards putting the event on as a "Fun-Raiser," according to John Traversaro.

This year the club partnered with Society Dog, a social club for dog lovers. The club started in 1999 as a singles club, but soon expanded to include anyone who loves dogs. The group participates in all sorts of events along the Peninsula.

“When we heard about it we knew we needed to be a part of this,” said the club’s founder and President Terri Festa, who is from San Jose.

“It’s fun to be in the parade with all the groups of big dogs,” said Campbell resident Cheryl Solis, also club member. The club’s lime green bus won Best Float in this year’s parade.

Other winners of the contests include:

Best Costume: Nancy Nicholson's two labradors dressed like cowboys (Hercules residents)

Most Look-a-Like: Pat Murphy and Bambi, dressed in a zebra print theme (Half Moon Bay residents) - see photo in gallery

Most Humorous: Black Lab in Tutu with Fishnet stockings and painted nails - see photo for gallery

Cameron Palmer, owner of , provided the food and venue for the Bark-B-Q.

“It’s tradition. It’s great to see all the Coastsiders getting together,” said Palmer, who has a two-year-old American boxer named Buddy.

The Bark-B-Q featured lots of food, live music by Blue, a raffle and a pet trick contest.

Dogs Romeo and Louie tied for first place in the pet trick contest. Each won an automatic watering bowl. Laura Hayes' dog Lila came in second and won a gift basket from Canine Scrubs. Dogs Sadie, Pixie, Truffle, Cookie and Harriet all tied for third. Each won dog toys for their efforts.

For more photos of the pet trick contest at the Bark B-Q, visit Half Moon Bay Patch's gallery here.

Note: Pooches on Parade organizers are still looking for the name of the black labrador dog who won the "Most Humorous" costume (Tutu, fishnet stockings and painted nails). If you know the name of this dog and the name of its guardian, please add this to the comments section.