August 23, 2016
Contact: Nancy Lee Gomer, Marketing Coordinator 636-949-7535, ngomer@sccmo.org
ST.CHARLES COUNTY, MO – Support local animal shelters by participating in the County's largest off-leash dog festival! The St. Charles County Parks and Recreation Department is celebrating its annual Paws in the Park program from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 17 at Broemmelsiek Park, located at 1795 Highway DD in Defiance.
Pet lovers from across the region are invited to bring their “best friend” to 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 or 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 with an agility course demonstration from Infinite Pawsibilities Trainer Lynsey Fuegner at 10 a.m., followed by St. Charles County Police K-9s 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 also will 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.
Royal Canin, Sebastien’s Pet Salon, and Pets & Company are the corporate sponsors of this year’s event and will judge the dog contests. Baue Pet Services and Sorenson Kennels are event sponsors.
The dog contests begin at 10:30 a.m., under the pavilion in the park’s Off-Leash Dog Area. On the day of the event, owners can register their dogs 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.
Participating businesses will offer product samples and more at their vendor tables. Additionally, the St. Charles County Pet Adoption Center will host a booth with several animals available for adoption at the event, Westinn Kennels will offer free nail trims to dogs, and Crossroads Veterinary Hospital will take photos of guests with their furry friends.
Food will be available not only for pet owners, but also their loyal friends, as well! Lady Bug Snow Cones and At Peace Pets will sell snow cones, brats, beef hot dogs, chips, drinks and dog snow cones. A portion of the proceeds from concession sales will be donated to St. Charles County Parks.
Voted best 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, and volunteer and vendor opportunities, please contact St. Charles County Parks Marketing Coordinator Nancy Lee Gomer at 636-949-7535 or visit www.stccparks.org.
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