HOMELESS PETS Canines in the Cascades

What: Pet festival and dog walk.
Where: Cascade Park, Pa. Route 65, New Castle.
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
Cost: Free, but walkers are encouraged to collect pledges and may participate with or without a dog. T-shirts will be given for each $25 donation.
Who: Promises for Pets, a nonprofit, no-kill humane and education association, which is the Lawrence County affiliate of Angels for Animals. Proceeds will go to help renovate a building and eventually build a new pet adoption and education center.
Schedule: The walk begins at 10 a.m. after the singing of the National Anthem, the raising of the flag by U.S. Marines and the blessing of the animals. Contests will follow, including waggiest tail, loudest barker, best pet costume, fastest biscuit eater, pet that most resembles its owner and best pet trick. A cat photo contest is also set.
Other activities: Victoria Summers, animal communicator, will unravel the mysteries of pets in person or by photo for $25. There will also be demonstrations of obedience from the Shenango Valley K-9 Academy, agility from the Lawrence County 4-H Canine chapter and dog grooming.