ROSIE BROWN, a chihuahua, doesn’t let her size deter her from being the unofficial parade marshal as she rides a float through the streets of Northport. It was a dog’s life at the annual Northport Dog Parade, which had 88 dogs prancing down Third Street on Saturday. There were nearly as many dogs on the sidelines barking out encouragement or offering up a tail for a sniff. The swaggering dogs were all given swag for their efforts, with prizes ranging from gift certificates for doggie chew toys to excursions to South Manitou Island to golf outings for their owners. All prizes were donated by area businesses.

Also at the parade was Clifford the Big Red Dog, who was giving out bookmarks to young parade-viewers and encouraging them to stop by the Leelanau Township Library for a free Clifford book to take home. The book give-away was sponsored by the Friends of the Leelanau Township Library, with about 175 books picked up by children. Clifford was also on hand to autograph books. This is the second year the Friends have offered free books; last year about 125 books were given away.

ONE-YEAR-OLD MACKINAW marched in his first Northport Dog Parade on Saturday, while also pulling along his owner Cindy Black. It was a full day in Northport and the parade was followed by the Northport Wine Festival, which featured 11 wineries and one cidery from the Northern Wine Loop, as well as six food venders.

“It was fantastic,” said Ruth Steele- Walker, co-chair of the event. “We had compliment after compliment.”

About 700-800 people showed up for the festival, sponsored for the first time by the Northport-Omena Chamber of Commerce. In past years it has been sponsored by the Leelanau County Chamber of Commerce, which held its wine festival earlier this year in Suttons Bay.

"ZOE" AND 3-yearold Lauren Trembath, both of Cleveland, are a perfect pair on Saturday.

SARA BRUBAKER, from left, and Laurie Conney, tasting room manager at Gills Pier Winery, offer up a taste of their wine at the Northport Wine Festival on Saturday. Photo courtesy of Cheryl Parker

NIKE KRUEGER seems to be asking an age-old question: ‘Does this hat make my head look big?’