MC Humane, City of Gaithersburg Host ​Dog Walk, Fest

From Montgomery County Humane Society, City of Gaithersburg: The Montgomery County Humane Society and the City of Gaithersburg announce the upcoming Paws in the Park Dog Walk & Fest, scheduled for Sunday, April 23, 2017 at Bohrer Park at Summit Hall Farm in Gaithersburg. The park is located at 506 South Frederick Avenue, next to Gaithersburg High School.

Paws in the Park is one of the area’s largest events oriented to dogs, their owners and all animal lovers. The Festival runs from noon to 4 p.m. and will feature a 1-mile dog walk at 2 p.m. and a variety of activities for children, including a moon bounce, contests and other activities for dogs and their owners. There will be contests for pets and owners including pet-owner look-alike, best singing dog, best trick, best “human barker,” a ”musical sit” competition, and more, with prizes awarded in most categories for first, second and third place finishes.

New this year, participants have the opportunity to tell their pet stories as part of a video that will be filmed on-site. Participants are encouraged to bring photos of pets that are unable to attend the walk, and walk in honor of them.

Back by popular demand, the Festival will include a Dog Agility Competition. This popular off-leash area allows dogs to experience and compete in agility and other activities in the safety of an enclosed section. Prizes will be available in many categories

Dozens of exhibitors will be on hand, many of whom will feature pet-related products or services, and there will be plenty of food for humans from a number of vendors. Fresh FM 94.7 will be on hand with music, giveaways and lots of surprises.

Much of the event’s fundraising happens when registrants reach out to friends, family and coworkers, encouraging them to donate funds to help homeless animals through the Paws in the Park webpages they create. Participant fundraising is expected to total more than $30,000 this year.

“This is our favorite event of the year,” says Cris Bombaugh, president and CEO of the Montgomery County Humane Society. “The dogs and their people have such a wonderful time, and we enjoy playing host to so many pet lovers and other supporters who want to end animal homelessness in our community. It’s a great day for animals in need.”

Past sponsors of the event have included: Banfield Pet Hospital, Enterprise Car Rental, Herson’s Honda & Kia, Hope Advanced Veterinary Center, Metropolitan Emergency Animal Clinic (MEAC), Negola’s Ark Veterinary Hospital, Olde Towne Pet Resort, ProMark Real Estate Services, Sandy Spring Bank, Vanguard Realty, VCA Hospitals, Whole Pet Central, and more.

Advance registration for Paws in the Park is now open. Advance registration is $15 for adults; children 12 and under are free. Admission at the gate is $25 for adults. For more information visit www.mchumane.org.

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