SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO.com) -- The 2018 Pheasant Fest opens Friday at the Sanford Premier Center in Sioux Falls with the Bird Dog Parade, and Joe Strang will be in the parade as usual.
This is the 13th edition of the parade, and Strang, of Cascade Iowa, hasn't missed a parade.
They call him the 'Dogfather'.
"Well, I think I was a dog in a previous life."
For many years, Strang walked with his prize Yellow Lab, Gordon, but then Gordon died, so now Gordon's grandson, Sully, struts his stuff. But Gordon is still there.
"I always carry some of Gordon's ashes in my pocket, so he's there with me every year." That's just how close some bird hunters get with their dogs.
The Master of Ceremonies for the parade is Bob St. Pierre and he's done it every year.
"A 120 different dogs, 44 different breeds. I'm a kid in a candy store, man!"
St. Pierre announces each dog and owner and has them up on the stage to take a bow-wow. You never know what's going to happen with a bunch of dogs.
"Bird dogs have done their business on the stage, no doubt about it. I guess that's as bad as it's gonna be."
This is Pheasant Fest's first time in Sioux Falls, and is expected to be the largest convention in South Dakota history. It runs from Friday afternoon into Sunday.
More information at:
https://www.pheasantsforever.org/Pheasant-Fest.aspx