By Mary O’KEEFE

his weekend the Montrose Shopping Park is doing what it does best – having a family fun event.

Along with the Harvest Market, the annual Kids N Kritters, Wags N Whiskers and Taste of Montrose events are this Sunday – rain or shine – along the 2200-2500 blocks of Honolulu Avenue. Kids N Kritters and Wags N Whiskers are paid for and organized by the Montrose Shopping Park Assn., which also pays for fees relating to the Taste of Montrose event.

About 11 years ago Prom Plus held its first Taste of Montrose (ToM), and roughly a year later Wags N Whiskers began, which was mostly an event centered around the Glendale Humane Society that included pet parades and pet adoptions. Then, three years after that, Kids N Kritters was started and it too included pets but also added some educational aspects that focused on learning about animals and included rides, like inflatable slides, and other events geared for kids.

MSPA has combined the three events and expanded on them by inviting first responders to the avenue and also holding a fashion show. This year there will be a performance by dancers from Revolution Dance Center.

ToM is one of the largest fundraisers for Crescenta Valley High School’s Prom Plus. ToM begins at 11 a.m. and goes until 2 p.m. A $20 ticket allows patrons to go from restaurant to restaurant trying tastes presented from their menu. This year about 16 restaurants have agreed to help support Prom Plus with this event. In addition to the restaurants along Honolulu Avenue there are those off the avenue that will share samples of their fare in the food court located on Ocean View Boulevard north of Honolulu Avenue.

“We are really excited that Prom Plus is able to share the great restaurants in our area,” said Robin Goldsworthy, president of Prom Plus (and publisher of Crescenta Valley Weekly. “We truly appreciate their support and the support of those who come out and purchase a ticket. This goes a long way in helping us raise the funds to give the students of CV a place to go after prom.”

For over 20 years Prom Plus has hosted an after-prom party for CVHS seniors and their guests. The non-profit organization was founded after a CVHS senior was murdered while she slept in a hotel at an unsupervised, post-prom party. Over the years Prom Plus has grown to include a community volunteer youth organization, Prom Plus Club, and the event – this year on May 20 – features a mechanical bull, bungee run, bungee jump, zip line, full casino and much more to keep the kids busy from midnight to 5 a.m. following the prom. The organization is maintained entirely by volunteers.

To learn more and to become part of Prom Plus, visit www.promplus.org. To find out more about Kids N Kritters and Wags N Whiskers see the ad on page 13

Wags N Whiskers and Kids N Kritters were combined and, as the titles indicate, focus on kids and animals. The Glendale Humane Society has supported the event every year and, according to Dawson, will have seven booths including an adoption area at this year’s event. There will be a pet parade beginning at 10 a.m. at Andersen’s Pet Shop at 2218 Honolulu Ave. when pets will parade down the avenue. There will be information about pet care and the Wild Wonders Exotic Animals Show will be on stage at 10:30 a.m., 11:45 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

This is a hands-on show for kids and adults, Dawson added.

For kids, in addition to the animal shows and petting zoos, there will also be a Kids Fun Zone with inflatable attractions and a climbing wall.

“We will also have [representatives from] the Glendale Fire Dept., Glendale Police, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Dept., and Montrose Search and Rescue,” Dawson said.

In case that wasn’t enough to fill the avenue, there is a fashion show that includes local moms and kids modeling the latest styles from clothing stores in the MSP. Other stores, like Once Upon a Time Bookstore will also be showcasing their goods in booths along Honolulu.

It is a great day for community members, both four and two legged, to come to Honolulu Avenue and try the great restaurants with Taste of Montrose while supporting Prom Plus, a time for pet parents to show their pride and joy at the pet parade, learn about exotic animals and even hold a couple, watch talented dancers from Revolution Dance Center and maybe even go home with that perfect pet from the Glendale Humane Society’s adoption.

And, of course, as on every Sunday, the Harvest Market will be along Honolulu Avenue.