Coastal Companion

Your ultimate guide to the coast

Pet Fest 2010 in Charleston, South Carolina

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Our pets love us unconditionally and now you can show your appreciation to your dog by bringing your best friend out to the park for a full day of fun.  Both pets and  owners are offered a full weekend of exhibits, demonstrations, entertainment, and more at Charleston’s premiere pet festival –  Pet Fest – on  Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11 at Mount Pleasant Palmetto Islands County Park.

Last year’s event was visited by more than 1600 pets and their owners, and no wonder. The event is packed with information for pet owners and fun, all in a pet-friendly environment.

Here are some of the highlights:

· K9s in Flight Frisbee Dogs and Dock Diving – Shows scheduled for 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.
· Dock Diving for visiting canines (new for 2010!), for a charitable donation to Humane Net
· Lowcountry Dog Magazine’s Cover Model Contest – Enter your dog for a chance to be on the cover of Lowcountry Dog Magazine
· Dolittle’s Interactive Tent – Tons of fun doggie games and a chance to win a year supply of food
· Charleston Kennel Club’s “Meet the Breed Dog Show” – Enter your own purebred or family dog
· Canine Good Citizen Tests – Would your pooch make a good therapy dog (Saturday only)
· Pet Contests – Best Trick, Owner Pet Look-Alike, A Face Only a Mother Could Love, Musical Sit
· Dog costume contest (new for 2010!) – Dress your best to win prizes
· Chow Down Like Your Hound – Human-grade dog food eating contest (kids and adults)
· Lowcountry Kitten Rescue Animal ER – Ages 8 & up can explore careers in veterinary medicine
· Microchipping Clinic (Saturday Only)
· STAR (Search Tactics And Rescue) Demonstrations
· Veterinarians, Trainers, Groomers and Pet Suppliers
· Dog Washing Station
· Rescue Groups and Adoption Centers will have adoptable animals on-site
· Children’s Activities
· Plenty of food and beverages including special treats for the pooches, and chances to win prizes

Another anticipated event is the announcement of the winner of “From Fat to Fit: A Canine Fitness Challenge.” This is the pet world’s answer to Biggest Looser.

The event takes place on Saturday, April 10 from noon to 6 p.m. and Sunday, April 11 from noon to 6 p.m. at Palmetto Islands County Park. Admission is $5 per day. Parking is limited. Children 12 and under, Gold Pass Holders and leashed pets are free.
For information call 795-4FUN (4386) or visit www.ccprc.com/petfest.

Oktoberfest in Savannah, GA

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Dust off the Tyrolean hat and lederhosen – it’s time for the party of the season in Savannah. We visited last year, and we can assure you that River Street in Savannah knows how to celebrate Oktoberfest. This festival takes place on October 2-4, 2009.

There will live performances, clogging, games, fireworks, arts and crafts and Bratwurst tasting. Speaking of sausage, our all-time favorite event is back – Wiener Dog Racing. Oktoberfest would not be complete without.

beerI don’t know how anyone can resist such a magnificent celebration of German heritage. This festival has it all; oompah band, bratwurst, wiener dogs and to top it all off – they even promise that you get to participate in the chicken dance.

New for this year is the River Street Beer Garden, it’s the perfect spot to show off your Oktoberfest fashion.

Judging from what the action-packed program has to offer, plan to come early and stay late.

The 10th Annual Wiener Dog Races will take place at Morrell Park (near the Waving Girl) again this year. Registration begins at 8am and the races begin at 10am!

For more information about the festival, visit http://www.riverstreetsavannah.com

4th Annual Paws Park Halloween Costume Contest & Fundraiser

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Friends of Paws Park is hosting the 4th Annual Paws Park Halloween Costume Contest & Fundraiser to raise money to help maintain and improve the free dog park in Jax Beach. Top Dog Sponsor for the event is Dr. Gary Neuman and the Animal Medical Clinic at Sawgrass Village.

The highlight of the event will be a costume contest for dogs and their people. Prizes will be awarded for most original dog costume, best dog & owner costume, funniest dog costume, scariest dog costume, best group (group must include dogs).

The entry fee for the costume contest will be $5 with the first 100 entries receiving a special gift for participating.

The event will also include a raffle with great people and dog prizes, Halloween photos, doggie fun zone, discounted microchipping, canine good citizen testing, vendors and dogs for adoption. Raffle tickets can be purchased in advance.

October 19, 2008, 3:00pm – 6:00pm
Paws Park dog park in Wingate Park

For raffle tickets or info: info@pawsparkjaxbeach.com, or call 513-9240.
www.pawsparkjaxbeach.com

Dogtoberfest in Jacksonville

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Bring your dog to Metropolitan park to Trick or treat! Join the trick-or-treat walkathon, carnival midway, costume contest, K-9 demonstrations, vendors,and fun. Walk as an individual or form a “pack” and walk as a team. Dogtoberfest takes place on October 11th, from 9:00am – 2:00pm

Please call (904) 338-9039 for more information about the event.