On a sunny Saturday morning, nine dogs dressed in purple competed for awards of best costume, best trick, and most obedient. Afterwards, they paraded through obstacles set up around Hastings Park in an impressive show of agility.
“Dogs big and small, all ages, come down and enjoy themselves. It’s a great celebration,” Mike Farry, a participating dog owner, said.
On Saturday, May 16, Lexington Goes Purple hosted its annual purple puppy promenade. The event, which was expanded into a broader “Doggie Day” this year, kicked off Lex Goes Purple’s annual series of educational and fundraising campaigns to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease.
Dogs at the puppy promenade. Photos provided by Faith Parker.
Lexington Goes Purple is a fundraiser under the Alzheimer’s Association’s “Do What You Love to End ALZ” program. In addition to hosting the purple puppy promenade, the organization collaborates with local groups to sponsor purple lawn signs, decorate public flower beds, hang posters around the Town Center, and host an annual bridge tournament. On the educational side, the organization runs an annual lecture series to highlight recent research on Alzheimer’s. Events unique to this year include a documentary screening at The Venue and a virtual panel discussion with Alzheimer’s patients.
During the purple puppy promenade, families dressed their dogs in purple and took turns showcasing costumes and tricks. The event was emceed by CEO of the Lexington Times Magazine Jim Shaw, and in the background, booths from Metropets, Buddie Belly Bites, Bridges by Epoch, and the Arlington Pet Food Pantry offered dog treats and services in exchange for donations.
“We brought a sampling of our boutique offerings: some really nice treats, chews, and some seasonal toys. The other thing that we’ve done every year is nail trims. 100% of the proceeds go to the [Alzheimer’s Association],” Jill Hourihan, the owner of Metropets (a local pet boutique and grooming facility), said.
Each year, Lex Goes Purple hands out prizes to participating dogs and their owners. Prizes consist of the organization’s own merchandise and gift cards donated by local businesses.
“We have a lot of businesses in town that sponsor us, in part, because of this event. It really captures people’s imaginations,” Faith Parker, a co-chair of Lex Goes Purple, said.
The event raises anywhere from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars each year.
For some of its participants, the puppy promenade was more than just a fun event for their dogs.
“My mother had Alzheimer’s many, many years ago. It was a very aggressive form because she got early stage Alzheimer’s, so it’s something that’s always affected me. So when they started this program, I was like, ‘I’d like to support the Alzheimer’s Association, too,’” Veronica Loh, a participant, said. Loh has been attending the puppy promenade with her family and dog since its debut in 2018. She now helps out with the event as a volunteer.
The Alzheimer’s Association is a national nonprofit that provides a variety of resources to those impacted by Alzheimer’s disease. Services include a 24/7 hotline, counseling programs, and support groups.
“They also have a very strong advocacy program, which has been instrumental in getting Congress to fund increases in Alzheimer’s research at the national level through the National Institutes of Health,” Parker said.
Members of Lex Goes Purple hope that by hosting events like the puppy promenade, they can continue supporting the Alzheimer’s Association’s work.
“If you have not had somebody who’s been through it, it’s very hard. It’s tough on families. [My job is] education, and also hopefully getting people to support the research on Alzheimer’s,” Loh said.