MARYSVILLE – Give your dogs the day out they deserve at the 12th annual Marysville Poochapalooza Outdoor Dog Festival July 7.
Marysville Dog Owners Group (M-DOG) hosts Poochapalooza, the biggest dog event in Snohomish County, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Asbery Field, Fourth Street and Alder Avenue in downtown Marysville.
“We want to give dogs of all breeds the day out they deserve,” M-DOG president Doug Buell said. “The ‘Pooch’ is a fun, rollicking day out for pets and families, with a chance for the dogs to get in on the action and activities themselves. This is their day to shine.”
Highlights will include the Fashions and Rescues Runway Show featuring adoptable dogs from regional rescue groups, and the Running of the Wieners dachshund races, mixed breed races and new Pug Chug run for trophies, Buell said. The Rainier Agility Team will demonstrate their skills, while giving visitors a chance to try out the course themselves.
This year, Poochapalooza welcomes “America’s Dog Guy,” David Frei, voice and analyst for NBC’s National Dog Show presented by Westminster Kennel Club and Beverly Hills dog shows. Buell said Frei will provide emcee skills – and a touch of class – to some of the contests and races. The breeder-owner-handler and author will also be signing copies of his new book, “Angel On A Leash,” a collection of stories about the joys of therapy dogs. The book title is also the name of his nonprofit organization. Proceeds from book sales will go to M-DOG.
Returning festival demonstrations will feature the Barn Hunt Association pitting vermin-ridding dogs on a search for a rat in a container buried within a hay bale maze, and lure coursing exhibitions led by the Association of Puget Sound Coursing. If you haven’t seen lure coursing before, picture fleet-footed hounds chasing after white plastic bags (mimicking rabbits) attached to a moving line of string.
Canine Good Citizen Testing will be available to you and your dog with a 10-step observation recognizing your pooch as obedient and well-behaved around people and other dogs. Trainer Kim Dailey, owner of Lake Stevens K9 Academy, is conducting the sessions, and donating half the fee back to M-DOG.
Pooches with a hidden talent can enter fun “Best in Show” and pie-eating contests. Contest donation cost is $5 for one or $10 for unlimited contests (excluding the Pooch Pie-Eating Contest in big and small dog categories, which is $10.) Register and pay at the event or online at the Poochapalooza website, and see the complete schedule.
Dozens of vendors selling dog-related products will have something for everyone, Buell said. M-DOG will have several pet raffle baskets, and food available for purchase, from full lunches to shaved ice, gelato and ice cream – some specially made for dogs. Parking is free.
Admission is free, too, but a suggested minimum $5 donation per person is requested that includes goodie-filled “wag bags” to the first 500 visitors.
Poochapalooza, M-DOG’s annual major fundraiser, is using this year’s money raised for more seating and shade options for Strawberry Fields for Rover Off-Leash Park. The park is maintained year-round by M-DOG volunteers in partnership with the Marysville parks department.
For details, call Buell at 425-308-2716, email dgbuell@frontier.com, or visit www.poochapalooza.org or www.facebook.com/poochapalooza.
