August 19, 2015
Contact: Nancy Lee Gomer, Marketing Coordinator, 636.949.7535 or cell 636.795.1137
St. Charles County, Missouri – Support local animal shelters by participating in the County's largest off-leash dog festival of the year! The St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department is celebrating its annual Paws in the Park program on Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., at Broemmelsiek Park, 1795 Highway DD, Defiance, MO 63341. Pet lovers from across the region are invited to attend this fun, free dog event that's packed with contests, prizes, sponsor giveaways, and K-9 and obedience skills demonstrations. Admission is free with a dog food/pet supply donation at the gate. Pet donations benefit the St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center and Five Acres Animal Shelter.
The program kicks off at 10 a.m. with an agility course demonstration from Infinite Pawsibilities trainer Lynsey Fuegner, followed by St. Charles County Police K-9’s at 11 a.m., Canine Search and Rescue Association at noon, and Gateway DockDogs at 1 p.m. Demonstrators will be available to answer questions and talk to guests, after each performance. Gateway DockDogs will also assist with dock diving instruction and trainers will be on hand to help pets maneuver through a set of jumps, tunnels and other obstacles in the agility course.
The fun dog contests begin at 10:30 a.m. under the pavilion in the dog park, so don’t forget to register your pup in the “Best Costume,” “Best Trick,” “Fastest Ball Retrieval From Pond,” “Best Dog/Owner Look-Alike” and “Best Kisser” contests. The winners of each contest will be awarded a commemorative medal to take home.
If you’re looking to adopt a new pet, the St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center will have a booth with several animals available for adoption at the event.
There will be food available for pet owners and their furry friends. Lady Bug Snow Cones and At Peace Pets will be selling snow cones, brats, beef hot dogs, veggie dogs, chips, and a variety of drinks. A portion of the proceeds from concessions will be donated back to the St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department.
Westinn Kennels will be offering free nail trims to dogs in need and participating businesses will be giving away product samples and more at their exhibit tables.
Renewal by Andersen is a Park Legacy Sponsor for the event and will be giving away a $50 Petco gift card to one lucky participant. This year’s corporate sponsor of Paws in the Park is Royal Canin and they are providing a drinking water station for the dogs throughout the day and will also judge the dog contests. The Yuppy Puppy Pet Spa, Crossroads Veterinary Hospital, Baue Pet Services, and Sebastien’s Pet Salon are also event sponsors.
Voted best Off-Leash Dog Area in the region by the Riverfront Times, Broemmelsiek Park’s Off-Leash Dog Area has become a popular place for dogs to play and the Paws in the Park event has become one of St. Charles County’s largest programs.
For more information about the Paws in the Park celebration, information about volunteering at the event, or to become a vendor for the celebration, please contact St. Charles County Parks Marketing Coordinator Nancy Lee Gomer at 636.949.7535 or visit www.stccparks.org.
###