Whether you’ve got a dog, cat, lizard, hermit crab, or something else entirely, you and your pet are invited to the American Visionary Art Museum's “Visionary Pets on Parade” 4th of July celebration.

Participants are encouraged to outfit their pets, and themselves, for that matter, in patriotic garb, or otherwise, for the 12th annual parade, which starts at 10 a.m. Wednesday. (To register, show up at 9:30.) It is free.

If that weren’t excitement enough, we are pleased to report that, during the event, the documentary “Hey, Mister, What Kind of Dog is That?” will be showing — over and over again — in the Visionary’s Tall Sculpture Barn.

The movie -- you can also find it to the right of your computer screen -- recounts my efforts to trace the heritage of my dog Ace, a mutt of once-questionable origins adopted from Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter (BARCS) two years ago.

AVAM welcomes pets of all varieties to the event, as long as they are leashed or carried. Owners are responsible for their pet's behavior and bodily functions.

The parade, which circles the AVAM complex, will be followed by a pet talent show, in which all are invited to show off their tricks, talent, or lack thereof.

In past years, according to an AVAM press release, “hermit crabs have re-enacted Revolutionary War battles and cicadas have performed circus tricks” along with more traditional -- and far more believable -- attempts to “sit, speak, roll over, high-five, fetch, catch, eat corn off the cob, maul chew toys, etc.

Trophies will be awarded in these categories and more:

Most Patriotic, star-spangled, Yankee Doodle Dandy Pet Award: To the pet who best represents Mom, Apple Pie, Uncle Sam, and the American Way.

Ready-for-Prime-Time-Pet Talent Award: To the pet who exhibits an abundance of raw talent, exuberance, and stage presence.

The Owner & Pet Look-Alike Award: Self explanatory.

Best Pet Haute Couture (Best Costume): To the pet whose visionary costume radiates with style, flair, and, of course, vision.

Best Visionary Pet Hair-do: To the pet whose hair-do best represents Baltimore as the “Hair-do Capital of the World and the Animal Kingdom."

Heinz 57-Variety Award: To the pet whose lack of pedigree serves only to enhance the charm and overabundance of style and class that we treasure so deeply here.

The Peoples’ Choice Award: To the pet who who did his or her utmost to charm the crowd and win the peoples' hearts.

Pet Congeniality Award: To the pet who played nicely, and sniffed the least inappropriate places.

GRAND PRIZE: The Ellis Rosen Most Visionary Pet 2007 will be awarded to the pet most “overflowing with the charm and grace that we hold so dear in our city,” and who best embodies the spirit of Ellis Rosen, AVAM Volunteer and pet whisperer.

AVAM is at 800 Key Highway. Its website is www.avam.org