BLESS ‘EM ALL : Cats, Dogs and More Exotic Pets Will Populate Olvera Street’s 50th Procession of Animals

Beginning about 1 p.m. today, Los Angeles’ historic Olvera Street promises to be a real zoo.

In cages or boxes, on fancy leashes or tethered by ropes, about 3,000 dogs, cats, exotic birds, snakes, goats, rabbits and other beasts are expected to show for this year’s Blessing of the Animals--the 50th at this site, promoters believe.

The pets will be lovingly adorned in ribbons, and some will go beyond that, wearing hats, flowers or other festive touches. And many of their owners will show up in costume as well. It’s a time to celebrate on Olvera Street.

Ucactlan, an eight-member mariachi band, will perform from noon until 2 p.m. And six Olvera Street merchants have volunteered to serve on the cleanup committee, promising to walk behind--and pick up after--the entourage, according to Vivien Consuelo Bonzo, president of the Olvera Street Merchants Assn., the event sponsor.

In years past, the blessing of the animals has drawn a mix of the mundane and the unusual--everything from garden-variety cats to a bejeweled bug that still merits mention from old-timers on the street. Last year a cow bedecked in Easter bonnet and a blanket of flowers led the blessing procession, and it was announced Friday that the tradition of the cow will be repeated this year, with a mooing Betsy scheduled to arrive in good time to lead the procession.

Bring Your Goldfish

“Naturally most of the animals are dogs and cats,” said Carmen Barron, events coordinator of the association, “but some people even bring their goldfish.” About 5,000 people are expected to accompany the creatures or watch the ceremony, Bonzo said.

As has been the custom on Olvera Street, the animals--who don’t have to look angelic or profess Catholicism--will be blessed by Bishop John J. Ward, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, and Father Luis Olivares, pastor of Our Lady Queen of Angels Church, as they prance past the giant kiosk at the south end of the street.

Despite the species mix, the past blessings have always been surprisingly peaceful, Bonzo claimed. “We never have dogs fighting,” she said. “The animals never become aggressive.”

Some pets are unaccustomed to being blessed, however, reported Ward, who has presided at the Olvera Street blessing for more than 15 years. “When I sprinkle the dogs with holy water, some sneeze,” he remembered recently.

When snakes slither up to the kiosk, Ward admits, he holds onto the aspergillum (holy water container) a little tighter. And, through experience, he has learned not to question participants who present their pets in opaque containers. “Once, a little boy came up with a brown paper bag,” Ward recalled, “and I asked, ‘What kind of an animal do you have?’ ” When Ward looked into the bag, two canaries looked back--and one flew away.

The blessing of animals dates back to the time of St. Francis of Assisi in the 13th Century and is meant to acknowledge the service and loyal affection of animals of all sorts. “Animals give so much to people throughout the year,” Bonzo said. “This is a way to repay the animal kingdom. It’s fun--but also religious.”

Participants should first go to the tables by the cross near the entrance to Olvera Street to pick up ribbons for their animals, Bonzo said. (Parking is available at the El Pueblo lot, directly across the street at 615 N. Main St., for $3 a day or at Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St., for $4 a day.)

After the ceremony, participants and observers are encouraged to stroll the walkways of colorful Olvera Street, Bonzo said. Now in the process of reverting from state to city ownership, Olvera Street (a part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles State Historic Park) opened in 1930 as a Mexican marketplace. It is the site where 44 settlers established a farming community in 1781.

Since then, the street and its merchants have had their share of good times and bad. Most recently, the merchants have proposed a $25-million face-lift plan, now under consideration by city officials, according to Bonzo. But today, the merchants hope, the emphasis will be on good times.

Following is a sampling of the street’s history, people and eateries. (Modern Olvera Street numbers don’t correspond with their historic addresses. Shops and buildings on the west side are numbered W-1 through W-25, those in the center, C-1 through C-29, and those on the east E-1 through E-23.)

HISTORY

At the Sepulveda House Visitors’ Center (W-12 and W-13), a free 18-minute film, “Pueblo of Promise,” depicts the early history of the pueblo and Los Angeles. It’s shown at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Avila Adobe (E-10), believed to be the oldest existing house in Los Angeles, depicts California life of the late 1840s, offering visitors peeks at the large family room, office, kitchen, master bedroom, children’s room and parlor.

Old Plaza Church, 100 W. Sunset Blvd., will be open to visitors today.

PEOPLE

Dozens of merchants sell their wares along Olvera Street, offering leather goods, colorful souvenir T-shirts, Mexican sombreros and more.

A sampling:

For 17 years, Ellen Smith had analyzed the handwriting of Olvera Street visitors. A graphologist--an expert in what she calls “the science of determining character and personality from the study of handwriting”--Smith’s shop is at W-8, near the Olvera Street wishing well. All a customer need provide is a handwritten sentence and the $5 fee.

“I tell them their emotions, their mental abilities, how they relate to people and what professions they may work well in,” Smith said. She’s never been asked to analyze animals. But if someone would provide a legible paw print? “I might try it,” she said recently with a laugh.

Luis Diaz, a self-taught glass blower (W-16), is used to people looking over his shoulder as he works. As customers and others watch, he deftly forms sassy cat necklaces (in about 10 minutes), decorative swans (in about 15 minutes) and other works of art. Fashioning a glass wedding cake top--one of his biggest-selling items--takes three hours or more.

Drop in on Joe Ramos (W-5), and you’re as likely to hear a treatise on the making of commercials as on the quality of imports. The gray-haired grandfather recently starred in a Spanish-language beer commercial--he was “discovered” while at work in his shop--and he’ll gladly tell about the takes, the retakes and even the punch line. He’s also knowledgeable about the costume jewelry and imports he sells. In his spare time, Ramos handles the street’s lost-and-found department.

La Lo’s Leather Shop (E-1 and E-2) is run by Augusto Godoy, a blend of old-style proprietor and carnival barker. On a recent steamy day, he stepped outside to coax customers in to look at his leather jackets, colorful miniskirts and other wares. “Welcome to Olvera Street,” he said. “No charge for looking today.”

Clara Ruiz, 83, runs the Guadalajara Novelty Shop (E-19), specializing in miniatures from Pueblo, Mexico. It’s not her only area of expertise. She’s the official pinata maker of Olvera Street and readily shows visitors pictures of her creations.

EATERIES

Authentic Mexican food--from snacks to full-course meals--can be bought on Olvera Street. A few choices:

El Paseo de Los Angeles (E-11) serves breakfast, lunch and dinner today from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Lunch entrees run $4-$8; dinner $6-$12. Full bar. Reservations suggested. Telephone (213) 626-1361.

La Golondrina Cafe (W-17) is open today from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner. Full bar. Prices range from $3.95 to $14. Reservations suggested. Evening entertainment by mariachi orchestra 7-10 p.m. Telephone (213) 628-4349.

La Luz del Dia (W-1) is open today from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Serving lunch and dinner cafeteria style. Mexican and American beer. Entree prices range from $1.75 to $3.10. No reservations required. Wandering minstrels. Telephone (213) 628-7494.

Lopez Candy Store (E-3) is one of many sources for sweet treats. Best sellers, said clerk Gullermo Ayala: mazapan, a peanut, cinnamon, sugar and vanilla concoction selling for 25 cents; baked coconut candy, selling for 50 cents; jamoncillo , a treat of milk, sugar, cinnamon and vanilla goes for 50 cents a slice. Telephone (213) 627-2772.