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BISBEE — For the past 44 years, folks have been gathering to celebrate Brewery Gulch Daze and though crowds have been in decline over the past few years, those who do come have found the mini-carnival atmosphere an enjoyable experience.
The Bisbee Boys & Girls Club hosted the event as a fundraiser for after-school programs for children and teens.
Andy Haratyk, vice president of the board of directors, wants to see the event become more family-oriented with more activities for the kids.
“We have a town filled with families, but many events are geared towards adults and alcohol,” said Haratyk. “We need to adjust to this demographic and provide more things for kids to do.”
  
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One activity during Daze is the annual pet parade. Owners dress their dogs and sometimes even cats in various outfits and take the walk up the Gulch past the judging stand.
The official spokes-dog for Border Animal Rescue was sporting his special donation vest which allowed the crowd to donate to the cause of rescuing animals and providing care for them. Rufus, a five-year-old Neapolitan Mastiff owned by Bisbeeite Theo Bodry, was a big help as kids stuck dollars in his pouches.
Aurora Bennett, 3 years old, dressed Pup the family boxer, (a rescuee who had only 45 minutes to live when he was adopted), as a belly dancer complete with sheer skirt and dangly, jingly things all over his collar. According to her grandmother Debbie, Aurora enjoys dressing up the dog like other girls would dress up dolls. Aurora even adds bracelets on the dog’s legs for a little more flair.
One of the biggest dogs in the parade was Omar Kristo an Anatolian Shepherd used to chase large predators away from cattle, goats and sheep. Owner Cynthia Conroy said the dogs are even used in African villages to keep the cheetahs away from stock. Omar was carrying a stuffed raccoon on his back, in honor of the gone-but-not-forgotten mouse-cat-dog guy. Omar also is the official mascot of the Bisbee 1000 Great Stair Climb, she added.
The Bodkin family of Bisbee had fun turning their dogs and kitten into butterflies. Ali and her daughter Eden dressed like Mother Natures with Osha, Senna and Tally Ho as the butterflies.
But of all the critters and cute costumes from a bull dog as a yellowjacket to a dachshund as a skunk, it was 8-year-old Abby Hottel and her dog, Rosie, that came away with the first place prize of $50. They were dressed up as flower and butterfly.
Lisa, Abby’s mom, said, “I thought it was a cute idea, since bassets seem to be so lazy looking, to turn her into a flitty butterfly. She’s a good sport,”
Lisa made the outfits, too. She crafted a flower costume for Abby complete with a headband of bouncing flowers and the butterfly costume for Rosie.
The Hottels have been frequent visitors to Bisbee and decided to make it their home.
Mayor Ron Oertle was there enjoying the sights and sounds of the little ones.
“This is a good event for Bisbee. It’s a lot of fun for everyone. This is an event that everyone in the community can come to and enjoy. I’m glad I attended and I’ve had a great time,” said Oertle.
The grand finale of the day-long fun is the Miss Old Biz contest, though it’s popularity seems to be waning. There were only two entries this year in the pageant — Liz Lockwood and Danielle Panther.
The crown, a bejeweled tiara with bouncing antennae, and Miz Old Biz sash went to Panther, a singer in the group Soul Senders who performed Sunday for the crowd.
“This is a dream come true,” she noted. “I’ve always wanted to be Miz Old Biz.”
The event also featured a silent auction and a raffle to win $1,200. Lucy Dickens an artist from Scottsdale won the raffle.
Herald/Review reporter Shar Porier can be reached at 515-4692 or by e-mail at shar.porier@bisbeereview.net.
