10th Pet-Palooza draws thousands for contests and fun to benefit Orland Township Pet Pantry

Jeff Vorva Times Correspondent

The Stuber family of Orland Park adopted a pair of Yorkies through the Animal Welfare League in Chicago Ridge, and they placed first and second in the Pet-Palooza Best Dressed contest.

Pat Stuber, dressed as Snow White to accompany Tinker Bell, who won the contest, and Tinker Bell won the contest. Stuber’s daughter Jaclyn dressed up festively for fall, and Pumpkin, who was adopted a week earlier, finished second.

“The dog I entered last year died,” Pat said. “So we adopted Tinker Bell and won this year.”

This is the first year the Stubers have dressed up.

“We’ve lived in Florida and love Disney and dressing up,” said Pat.

The 10th annual Pet-Palooza, hosted by Orland Township on its grounds, took place Sept. 23 and an estimated 2,000 people and an undetermined number of pets showed up for food, music, shopping, games and competitions

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Proceeds benefited the town’s pet pantry.

Orland Township Supervisor Paul O’Grady has enjoyed watching the growth of what he and his staff cooked up more than a decade ago.

“Take a look around, man,” O’Grady said. “It’s great to see the community out and everyone with their pets, their families and their kids. The seniors are out here.”

The Orland Township food pantry was the first of its kind and has grown thanks in part to Pet-Palooza.

“Pet-Palooza was meant to support the pet food pantry,” O’Grady said. “So we had no idea it would be this big. But the response from the community, the number of pets that have been adopted over the years, the number of vendors that have come out and supported it has been fantastic.”

He added that a portion of the money the vendors earn is also donated to the pantry. Pet-Palooza raises several thousand dollars.

O’Grady seems to enjoy several parts of the festival, but has one area he loves the most.

“Pageants are my favorite,” O’Grady said. “Once in a while, when I’m a judge, I have to make the difficult decision.”

This year, there were Best Dressed, Best Trick, Best Voice, Bobbing For Hot Dogs, Fast Finish and Quick Sit for Pets contests.

Erica Sidenstick of Orland Park brought her little dog, Bentley, who was third best dressed as Hannibal Lecter, a fictional villain from Thomas Harris’ novels such as “The Silence of the Lambs.”

Last year, Bentley won by dressing up as Forrest Gump.

Sidenstick said he has come to several Pet-Paloozas.

“I like the family-oriented nature,” he said. “I love it”.

The 2022 version of Pet-Palooza included a look at exotic animals, dog training and information on pet adoption and dealing with senior pets.

Musician Erik Donner was the headliner, and the only act, in the music tent. He played old classics during the three-hour event. His father, the late Ral Donner, is credited with influencing John Lennon and Robert Plant.

Erik performed Ral’s 1961 hit “You Don’t Know What You’ve Got (Until You Lose It)” in Ral’s honor.

Children’s entertainment included stilt talker Dave Fleming, face painting, train rides, bounce houses and bouncy obstacles and character appearances from Spider-Man, Peppa Pig, Mirabel, Isabela and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Rescue shelters that were at the event were the Animal Welfare League, Cache Creek Rescue, Feline Cat Rescue, Halfway Home Animal Rescue, One Goal Animal Foundation, Paws Up 4 Rescue, South Suburban Humane Society, St. Sophia’s Forgotten Felines and Traveling Tails Dog Rescue.

PHOTOS: 10th annual Orland Township Pet-Palooza

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