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Canine Carnival attracts hundreds of dogs
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Bob Evans' dogs, Biscuit (left) and Gravy, joined Friends of Paws Town members Barb Ricker (left), Tracy McQuillan, Bob Loree, Jason Loree and Abbey Loree at the Canine Carnival Oct. 10. This was the first fundraiser for the upcoming Boardman dog park, Paws Town.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Youngstown's Jamie Hodge (left) and wife, Jody, let their dogs, Sookie (left) and Pixie, wear matching sun dresses to the Friends of Paws Town's Canine Carnival. Dogs were dressed in costumes, skirts, jerseys and hoodies.
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Neighbors | Shaiyla Hakeem .Friends of Paws Town members Rayne Blackeman (left) and Molly McQuillan let kids decorate a pumpkin for donations that benefited the future dog park. They could use paint or markers for the craft.
Four-legged friends were dressed to impress as they strolled through Boardman Park during an event to raise money for their future social area.
Friends of Paws Town hosted a Canine Carnival Oct. 10 to kickoff its fundraising efforts for Boardman’s future dog park, Paws Town. The carnival was held in Boardman Park from noon until 4 p.m. and was open to the public.
More than 900 dogs attended the event with their owners in support of the dog park. The carnival raked in more than $3,500 and Friends of Paws Town president Jason Loree said the group couldn’t have asked for anything more.
“The weather was great and it couldn’t have been a better event,” he said.
The event was primarily for pooches, but they weren’t the only ones enjoying themselves. Austintown resident Josh Morales won the puppy chow eating contest where he beat seven other contestants in scarfing down food from a dog dish without the help of his hands.
The puppy chow, chocolate flavored corn puffed cereal, was evenly distributed between the contenders and topped with chocolate fudge. Morales received a small gift basket full of cookies for winning the eating contest.
Dogs also competed in contests. Winners were awarded for best costume and trick performances. Water dishes and doggy pools were set up throughout the park so the dogs could cool off or rehydrate. Several animal shelters and rescue organizations were present with dogs who were searching for a good home. Vendors were also on-site selling dog collars, leashes, professional photos and nail trimmings.
Future fundraisers in the works for Paws Town includes a paws-ghetti dinner and pups and suds event, but nothing has been scheduled at this time. For information on upcoming fundraisers, visit www.pawstown.org.
Friends of Paws Town is aiming to begin general construction of the dog park in the spring. This was the first Canine Carnival hosted by the group, but depending on community dog lovers, it doesn’t have to be the last.
“If this is something that the community wants to do, we will definitely make an annual event,” Loree said.