What’s billed as the biggest dog event in Snohomish County returns this Saturday with a new twist: the Pug Chug run.
“They’re not much in the way of runners, but we’ll give them a shot for trophies,” said Doug Buell, co-founder and coordinator of the 12th annual Marysville Poochapalooza Outdoor Dog Festival, set for 10 a.m. July 7 at Asbery Field in Marysville.
The “Pooch” will include dachshund and mixed-breed races, a fashion show for adoptable rescue dogs and demonstrations by the Rainier Agility Team, which features dogs racing through complex obstacle courses.
David Frei, a commentator for NBC’s National Dog Show who was once called “the most famous human in the world of canines” by New York Magazine, will emcee some of the events and sign copies of his new book, “Angel On A Leash,” featuring stories about how therapy dogs help their human companions.
Marysville Dog Owners Group (M-DOG), a nonprofit, puts on the festival, which typically draws about 4,000 people.
Admission is free, but a $5 donation is suggested; the first 500 will get goodie-filled “wag bags.” Proceeds will go toward more seating and shade options for the 3-acre Strawberry Fields for Rover Off-Leash Park.
“This is us giving the dogs the day out they deserve,” said Buell, president of M-DOG. “They spend all year catching balls and fetching newspapers. We want to give them a play day.”
Dogs will search for a rat in a container buried within a hay-bale maze during barn hunts. Lure-coursing exhibitions will have them chasing after white plastic bags attached to string that mimic rabbit movements.
The talented can enter the “Best in Show,” or, if they’re hungry, try pie eating. There are categories for dogs big and small, and the top finisher earns a blue ribbon.
Kim Dailey, owner of Lake Stevens K9 Academy, will do 10-step Canine Good Citizenship Tests to help owners identify potential behavior problems and teach good manners. There also will be dozens of vendors selling dog-related products, gift-basket giveaways and food, including some specially made for dogs.
Buell started the festival with his wife, Leslie, in 2006 in an effort to create a dog-friendly culture in Marysville.
“It’s an incredible amount of work to put it together,” Buell said. “But the payoff is on event day when you see not only all the smiling and tail wagging, but you see all these people and dogs socializing.”
Evan Thompson: 360-544-2999, ethompson@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @evanthompson_1
If you go
Poochapalooza is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. July 7 at Asbery Field, Fourth St. and Alder Ave., Marysville.
Admission is free, but there is a $5 suggested donation to help M-DOG maintain Strawberry Fields for Rover Off-Leash Park.
Contest entry donation is $5 for a single contest, or $10 for entry into unlimited contests. The pie-eating contest is $10 per entrant.
Visit www.poochapalooza.org for more information and a schedule of events.
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