WADDLE 2016

We have been an official entry in the Fourth of July Parade sponsored by the City of Novato the last seventeen years. This will be a family-oriented parade along ten (10) city blocks in downtown Novato. We expect marching bands, floats, horses, dancing troupes and other civic groups to be represented.

There will be a 'pooped pup truck' (hay wagon/trailer) for the tired or senior basset hounds and their owners; however, we encourage entries to bring wagons if you have a senior or frail basset hound in case the haywagon gets full. Waddle parade officials have the authority to make Bassets ride on the haywagon if they deem it necessary.

Parade entries will be judged and we are a regular winner in the animal category so we want to maintain our success! 

Waddlers are encouraged to wear one of our Waddle TShirts.  This year's design is one of our best yet!! This year's artist is Cindy Kremsner (remember the Hot Dogs image we used a couple of years ago?). They MUST be ordered in advance this year.  By June 8 for those who need them mailed  or to pick up at the Waddle. If you order during registration, you will be expected to pick them up, with no associated shipping charges. If you want them mailed... please add $5 to your order and we will ship as soon as we get them, or immediately after the Waddle.


If you don't want to buy the shirt, please try and wear red-white-blue or stars and stripes. Costumes for the Bassets are encouraged, but they must be able to breathe easily and stay cool!

1. Please bring only bassets that can handle socializing with other bassets, people, children and parade participants. (Action, crowds, noise, horses, bands playing etc.)
2. Please limit yourself to one basset hound per person, per leash. If necessary, two bassets on a leash with a COUPLER is acceptable. NO FLEXI LEASHES PLEASE unless locked at a maximum of 6 feet.
3. Basset Wagon is recommended if there is any chance your senior or frail hound cannot walk ten blocks. There is a "pooped pup truck", but the crowd love to see the bassets being pulled along (especially in a decorated wagon!).
4. Volunteers willing to walk hounds for those with multiple dogs are welcome. We can try to match you at registration/parade start, or contact Addy Dawes (ggbassetlovr@hotmail.com) if you need a walker, or want to volunteer.

 GGBR WILL ONCE AGAIN BE SELLING A LUNCH DEAL FOR ONLY $5!!

No need to worry about fixing your picnic lunch in advance this year, or having to carry it on the parade.  Drop your chairs off at the Marion Park Baseball Field before the Parade.  Stake out your space under the shady canopies (we have TWO 20x20 canopies with our logo on this year!).  A couple of volunteers will be staying at the field to ensure everything is safe while you waddle. 

Parking for Waddlers is located at the Lucky's parking lot across from the Field. A shuttle van will collect waddlers from the road between the field and the parking lot to the start of the parade so you don't have to walk it both ways. Please come early so there is time to get you all to the start.

It is advised that the driver drop dogs off (with all additional passengers) where the parade starts (for us, this is the small parking lot at the corner of Reichert and Grant), go and park your car across from the picnic site (or close by), REGISTER AT THE PICNIC FIELD, leave your chairs on the field and then take our shuttle or walk back (down Grant) to the start of the Parade. This will leave more room in the shuttle vans and then your car will be waiting for you close to the picnic ground and the end of the Parade route for when you have finished.

Map of Parade Route

can be found here (for a link to a Google interactive map), or see below:

The right hand pin is the start of the parade, the left hand pin is the picnic area at the Baseball Field.  Remember, drop off dogs and passengers at the parade start point (if you're coming late the roads will be blocked and you'll have to drop off on Reichert probably at the De Long intersection).  Drive down De Long and Novato Blvd to come out at the Marion Park end of the route.  Park in the Lucky's lot or neighboring streets and register at the picnic site.  You can drop off chairs and belongings - we'll have people on site keeping an eye on these.  Don't forget to pick up your Waddle TShirts.  Take the shuttle from the Lucky's Parking Lot back to the start point and enjoy the Parade!!  When you get back to the baseball field picnic site settle down to enjoy the picnic lunch and raffles etc.