With sunny skies and beautiful spring weather on May 9th, neighbors gathered for one of Hidden Lake’s favorite annual traditions, the STROLL Hidden Lake Pawrade & Playtime! The morning was filled with tail wags, laughter, friendly competition, adorable costumes, and unforgettable memories for both pets and people alike.

From the moment neighbors arrived, it was clear this year’s event was going to be something special. Dogs of every size and personality proudly strutted through the neighborhood while kids, parents, and friends connected throughout the morning.

One of the biggest highlights was the agility showcase hosted by Szegi Haus K9 Solutions. Raven, their incredibly well-trained German Shepherd, wowed the crowd with an impressive demonstration that inspired many pups to test out the course for themselves. The team also hosted a hilarious “Szegi Haus Says” competition, a playful spin on Simon Says, where Missy, Mary Pittman’s Bordoodle, took home the win and received a fun prize from Szegi Haus.

As if that wasn’t entertaining enough, Szegi Haus also ran an adorable pup cup eating contest where dogs raced to finish small cups of whipped cream. Watching the dogs enthusiastically lap up their treats had everyone laughing. Oden, Julia Juncaj’s Golden Retriever, claimed victory in the sweet showdown and also received a special prize from the Szegi Haus team.

The event was filled with thoughtful touches from local business partners who helped make the morning extra special. Legacy Painting Co. kept neighbors fueled with Starbucks coffee and delicious doughnuts while also contributing a prize for a contest winner. Jewels Pet Cuisine spoiled pups with freeze-dried treat samples tucked into adorable take-home bags and generously provided prizes for a few of the winners. Redbeards Scoop Valet came prepared with convenient cleanup bags to help keep the event running smoothly and also donated a prize for one lucky winner.

And then there was Spot.

Dressed as a Dalmatian, the lovable pony completely stole the show. Thanks to Tom Sworm Stable, children enjoyed complimentary pony rides that quickly became one of the most talked-about parts of the morning. Watching little ones light up with excitement made the event feel even more magical.

Neighbors also participated in the community Pawrade around the bus circle, proudly showing off their pets’ personalities and creative styles before voting for the crowd favorites.

This year’s winners included:

Best Costume: Hazel, Reese Testa’s Chihuahua
Wildest Wag: Ruby, Julia Juncaj’s Aussie
Best Smile: Lola, Susan Dixon’s Toy Aussie, rocking her unforgettable Rock & Roll Hall of Fame vest
Best Parent Pooch Pair: Milo, Onofrei Rozar’s Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Neighbors also loved snapping photos in front of the playful balloon backdrop created by Starrstruck Balloons & Decor, which added the perfect festive touch for all the adorable pet and family photos throughout the morning.

A special thank you also goes out to Party Fly Photography for beautifully capturing the memories from the morning, and to neighbors Mary Pittman and Jody Iovan for helping with setup and teardown to make the event such a success.

After the event, Mary shared a heartfelt message that perfectly captured the spirit of the day:

“Everyone is telling me how much fun they had this morning, how much fun the dogs had and how much fun their kids had with a pony ride.”

Moments like these are exactly why we love creating opportunities for neighbors to come together. Seeing neighbors laughing, connecting, and making memories alongside our amazing business partners is what STROLL is all about.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended, volunteered, participated, and helped bring this event to life. We already cannot wait for next year’s Pawrade & Playtime!