Philly’s Betsy Ross House celebrates the Fourth of July with Patriotic Pets Parade

The third year of the parade and costume competition saw three noncanine contestants, including a snake and a giant rabbit.

Yorkshire terrier twins Lilo and Stitch won Best in Show at the third annual Patriotic Pet Parade at the Betsy Ross House, part of Philadelphia's July Fourth celebrations. (Nick Kariuki/Billy Penn)

Philly’s Betsy Ross House celebrates the Fourth of July with Patriotic Pets Parade

The third year of the parade and costume competition saw three noncanine contestants, including a snake and a giant rabbit.

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The Betsy Ross House kicked off its Fourth of July celebrations with its Patriotic Pet Parade, inviting Old City and Philly residents to show off their furry — and some scaly — friends.

Nearly 30 pets took over the Betsy Ross Courtyard to compete in categories such as “best dressed,” “crowd favorite” and “most patriotic pet.”

“Of course Flag Day is important to us, but this truly is my favorite day of the year, because it’s so much fun,” said Lisa Acker Moulder, director of the Betsy Ross House.

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A woman dressed in 18th century garb holds a ball python
Betsy Ross interpreter Nina Gold poses with ball python Wadsworth Longfellow at the Betsy Ross House's third annual Patriotic Pet Parade. (Nick Kariuki/Billy Penn)

The judges donned costumes, posing as Betsy Ross herself, music and film producer Jeff Winner and Old City street saxophonist David Puryear.

Last year, there was only one contestant that wasn’t a dog: a turtle. This year, there were three noncanine contestants: Ozzy the bearded dragon, Ophelia the giant Flemish rabbit and Wadsworth Longfellow the ball python.

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A person holds a bearded dragon
Bearded dragon Ozzy takes a nap ahead of the the Patriotic Pet Parade at the Betsy Ross House on July 4, 2025. (Nick Kariuki/Billy Penn)
A pug wearing a bowler cap
Lulu the pug was dressed as Abraham Lincoln for the Patriotic Pet Parade at the Betsy Ross House. (Nick Kariuki/Billy Penn)

Claire Khoury, who brought Wadsworth — and her sister Jenny, a chihuahua mix — said it was important to show everyone at the event that snakes can be friendly too.

“She’s so sweet and relaxed and I think she really changes people’s minds about snakes,” she said. “They think that they’re aggressive and scary, but then they look at her and they’re like, ‘Oh my god, she’s like a puppy dog.’”

A woman poses with her ball python
Claire Khoury poses with her ball python Wadsworth Longfellow and chihuahua mix Jenny at the Betsy Ross House’s third annual Patriotic Pet Parade. (Nick Kariuki/Billy Penn)

Among the winners were Yorkshire Terrier twins Lilo and Stitch, who won Best in Show. Their owner, Jacqueline, is a fashion designer and said that the pair were already well-prepared for the competition.

“The X-factor’s definitely that they’re very calm, collected, and used to being doggy models,” she said.

A child goes to pet a ball python on a woman's neck
Claire Khoury poses and her ball python Wadsworth makes friends at the Patriotic Pet Parade at the Betsy Ross House on July 4, 2025. (Nick Kariuki/Billy Penn)
A girl holds a chihuahua mix
Hanna Kimm and her rescue chihuahua mix, Pudding, participate in the Patriotic Pet Parade at the Betsy Ross House on July 4, 2025. (Nick Kariuki/Billy Penn)
A man dressed as Captain America and his dog
Michael Penzel and Lunabelle wore matching outifits for the Patriotic Pet Parade at the Betsy Ross House on July 4, 2025. (Nick Kariuki/Billy Penn)

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