Do Dah Day

Do Dah Day is an annual pet parade, music festival and fund-raiser that is held on Highland Avenue and in Caldwell and Rhodes Parks. The first Do Dah Day was organized loosely as a parade-centered party in 1979 by a group of friends and neighbors that kept the festival growing informally before turning it over in 1987 to another group who hit on the idea of centering the parade around pets and pet animal welfare charities. They invited Jessica Hahn, still in the spotlight of her imbroglio with televangelist Jim Bakker, to serve as that year's grand marshall, earning a great deal of media attention.

In the following years the festival became more organized and respectful of authority. Larry "Bud" Melman was grand marshall in 1992. Morris Day and the Time was a featured performer. Adam Ant provided a forgettable set of pre-recorded hits. The one-day parade and festival is still organized and operated entirely by volunteers. Since 1992, Do Dah Day has raised more than $600,000 for organizations that support animals. Numerous animal groups, political candidates and other organizations make use of the event to solicit interest and disseminate information.

Do Dah Day is presented by its 32-member Board of Directors. The board president is Audrey McClinton, who succeeded Richard Thornton.

1979

A group of friends including Ed Boutwell, John McGibboney, Ann Staub, and Betsy Hardigree, apply for a parade permit to jump start the summer party season.

1987

The baton of organization is passed to a new group who expanded the festival, cemented its legality, and formally invited pets to be the centerpiece of the parade.

1989

Jessica Hahn appears as grand master of the festival, generating a great deal of attention.

1998

A successful festival draws 40,000 in attendance and makes a $49,000 donation to the Humane Society.

1999

The 20th Anniversary Do Dah Day is held on May 22. Proceeds go toward establishing a spay/neuter program with the help of local veterinarians.

2004

The May 1 event features the Subdudes.

2005

Lousy weather puts a mild damper on the festival, which moves to Rhodes and Rushton Parks while Caldwell is being rehabilitated.

2006

Approximately 40,000 attend the 27th Do Dah Day in glorious warm weather on May 20. Mike White and Elizabeth Russell were named King and Queen at Do Dah Eve at Zydeco. Elvis, a 6 year old Labrador retriever, was named the pet king of Do Dah Day. Harry the Hairless, a Mexican hairless, was crowned "Ugliest Dog".

Music acts included the Amazing Live Sea Monkeys, Caddle, Ethan and the Ewox, Little Memphis Blues Orchestra, Slippery When Wet, Shillelagh Law, Nathan Peek Band, Looney Mill, Jacksons NLA, and Michael Warren. Acoustic Jackson NLA, Cullom's Crossing, and Within Reason performed at the Do Dah Eve event.

Overall, the 2006 festival raised $47,000 for charity.

2007

The 28th annual festival was held on May 19. Matt Lackey and Christie Lynam were named King and Queen at Do Dah Eve at Nana Funks. Chinese hairless "Cooper" dethroned Harry the Hairless for the title of "Ugliest Dog"

Musical acts included MojoBrothers, Jeremiah Meyer, Emily DeLoach, the Blue Light Specials, HoneyBaked, Kendra Sutton & the Bad Luck Boys, Michael Shelton & the Effect, Ethan & the Ewox, Angie Aparo, and Standard Candle. Jacksons NLA played Do Dah Eve.

2008

The 29th Do Dah Day was held on May 17.

References

• Geiss, Chuck. (May 18, 2006) "Naked Birmingham". Black & White.
• Shepherd, Sara. (May 7, 1999) "Do Dah Day to fund spay/neuter program". Birmingham Business Journal.

External links

• Do Dah Day website