Earlier this month, on the streets of St. Helena, the Flash and Superman got some help from a furry sidekick. Batdog, the Collins' family dog usually known as Llani, was dressed up with batwings and ready to take on all criminals at St. Helena's 11th annual Pet Parade.

Creatures ranging from chickens, dogs, cats, rats, hamsters and horses paraded down Oak Street in St. Helena. Throngs of St. Helena residents came out to watch the parade, which also kicked off the city's 19th annual Harvest Festival.

Twin 5-year-old brothers Stephen Collins, dressed as Superman, and Douglas Collins, dressed as the Flash, were among the dozens of children and their pets to wow the hundreds of spectators at the parade.

St. Helena resident John Collins, the twins' father, brought his boys down for a bit of fun before Halloween, he said. Besides, he noted, the parade gives them a chance to wear their costumes twice.

All of the "Star Wars" movies were represented by the Martin and Gilfillan families. At the center of their space-themed entourage was Jack, a large black Labrador retriever donning a sign that read, "The Dark Side."

"He's not a devil, (but) the force is with him for sure -- and with us when we found him," said Kristin Martin, dressed as a stormtrooper.

The Martins rescued Jack from a local animal shelter about two years ago. The Pet Parade was only the second time Jack was out and about in town, Martin said.

Rounding out the "Star Wars" cast were Aiden Gilfillan, 5, dressed as Yoda; Colin Gilfillan, 7, dressed as Luke Skywalker; Dylan Martin, 6, dressed as Darth Vader; Lindsay Martin, 5, dressed as Princess Leia; Bill Gilfillan dressed as Darth Maul and Karen Gilfillan as Padm Amadala.

McKenzie Thomas and her best friend, Amanda Scheideman, both 9, dressed as doctors. Winston, a dog who is part of the Thomas family, was their patient.

"We've been coming (to the parade) since the beginning," said Sue Thomas, McKenzie's mother. "It's probably the most fun that people can have."

The Harvest Festival is the updated version of a tradition that goes back many years, but had gone dormant.

Kathy Carrick, director of the City of St. Helena Recreation Department, said that in the old days, the festival "was a big deal. They had a parade down Main Street and a rodeo and it was almost like a fair. It lasted several days."

Carrick said community members came together 19 years ago to resurrect the event.

This month, dozens of food, arts and crafts vendors lined Oak and Tainter streets. A carnival offered kids a choice of participating in a cake walk, football throw, pumpkin painting, or careening down a super slide.

The festival is not all fun and games. This year, Carrick said, funds raised at the festival will be given to St. Helena Community Pool and Napa Humane.

Napa Humane volunteers brought along five bunnies, four cats and two dogs looking for a new home. Executive director Jane Winston said by noon Saturday, they had dozens of applications from prospective owners.

The shelter routinely takes in surrendered and abandoned pets and offers them for adoption at their Napa facilities. Potential pet owners are screened before they are given custody of pets.

For more information visit www.napahumane.org.