Paws on Parade: A C.A.R.E.-ing Community Event 

A joyful community celebration to benefit C.A.R.E. (Community Animal Rescue Effort)

Get ready to wag, walk, and celebrate our beloved pets in the heart of Downtown Skokie! Paws for a Cause: The Downtown Skokie Pet Parade and Outdoor Cafe brings together animal lovers of all ages for a festive pet parade, outdoor dining, live entertainment, and tail-wagging fun — all while raising money to help shelter pets find loving homes. All Pets are invited to attend.

The event kicks off at C.A.R.E. (Community Animal Rescue Effort) and parades through the streets of Downtown Skokie, ending behind Take Flight Spirits and Kneads and Wants Bakery, where the fun continues with contests, art, treats, training demos, and more!

Parade Ticket Options

Standard Entry – $26.03

Includes:

• Participation for one pet and two humans

• Water stations along the route

• Access to all festival activities

• Professional pet portraits (three included)

• Paw print art station

• Expert trainer consultations

• A festive pet bandana

• Entry into all pet contests:
  🐕 Best Costume | 👯 Pet & Owner Look-Alike | 🐕‍🦺 Fastest Tail Wag | 🎩 Best Trick

VIP (Very Important Pet) Entry – $56.90

Includes everything in Standard Entry, plus:

• An exclusive VIP Goodie Bag featuring:

  • A limited-edition event T-shirt

  • A box of homemade dog treats or a catnip plant

  • A box of homemade human cookies from Kneads and Wants Bakery

  • A $5 Kneads & Wants coupon, valid during the event

  • A $5 Take Flight coupon, valid during the event

  • Sponsor-donated gifts for both pets and people

Additional pets or people can be added to your parade group for $10 each (must be purchased with a Standard or VIP ticket).

Outdoor Pet Café & Festival Activities

After the parade, stick around for a full afternoon of pet-friendly festivities!

Pet-Friendly Dining

Grab a table with your pup at these participating locations:

• Village Inn Pizzeria

• Kneads and Wants Bakery

• Take Flight Spirits

Enjoy exclusive event-day treats, drinks, and discounts while relaxing with your furry friend in designated dog-friendly zones.

Activities & Entertainment

• Professional pet photo sessions

• Paw print art station

• One-on-one time with expert trainers

• Fun giveaways and free samples

• Pet-themed shopping and sponsor booths

Come celebrate your four-legged best friend, support local Skokie businesses, and help raise funds for animals in need. Let’s walk, wag, and give back — together.

Not Marching? No Problem!

You don’t need to walk in the parade to enjoy the fun — but you do need a ticket! If your pet prefers lounging to parading, or if you're joining later in the day, you're warmly invited to head straight to the Outdoor Pet Café & Festival, which opens at 2:00 PM behind Take Flight Spirits and Kneads and Wants Bakery.

A parade ticket is still required for entry to the café and all festival activities, even if you skip the march. Just show your ticket at check-in and come enjoy the food, photo ops, contests, and tail-wagging fun!