CSBarks offers festival of fun for Fido
It’s clear that Fido has a special place in Carol Stream.
A new 3-acre dog park, to be called Bark Park, is opening this fall at the northwest corner of North Avenue and Kuhn Road. Park district officials have said the park is the result of community surveys that indicated residents had interest in such a park.
And for the third year, the park district will host the CSBarks Dog Festival, a free event for dogs, their owners and non-pet owners alike.
From fly ball and disc dog performances to pet talent shows, the festival at Armstrong Park on Sunday, Sept. 18, will be the place to be for dogs and their masters.
“We created this festival to be as much fun for dogs as possible, and it has become an event that dog lovers really look forward to each year,” said Suzanne Waghorne, recreation coordinator at the Carol Stream Park District, in a news release. “This year’s festival promises to be the best yet, and we’re excited to see dogs of all shapes, sizes and breeds in one place once again.”
The day kicks off with the second annual Fido Fun 3K Walk, with proceeds benefiting community projects of the Rotary Club of Carol Stream. Day of race registration is $25, good for one handler and two dogs, a goody bag and raffle ticket. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and the walk starts at noon.
New to the festival this year, four border collies from Heatherhope Farm in Sycamore will put on sheep herding demonstrations with eight North Country Cheviot sheep.
The Doggie Olympics will feature contests such as Peanut Butter Lick, to see which dog can lick a spoonful of peanut butter the fastest, while their handlers hold the handle of a spoon to their mouth. Another contest is Temptation Tower — owners have a minute to stack as many biscuits as they can, but dogs can’t eat any of the treats. If they do, both dog and owner are disqualified.
A Fido Mall will feature more than 50 exhibitors selling pet products such as dog treats, custom beds, toys, collars and leashes. The offerings at the mall run the gamut from those selling dog clothes, coats and dresses to vacation stays at an overnight dog resort.
Schaumburg-based Purr Photography will offer professional pet portraits for $10. For the same price, artist Deb Donnelly will draw caricatures of dogs with their owners.
And if dogs become tired from all the activities, there will be a Rover Rest Area for them to lay on sofas and dog beds — all while watching the movie “Hotel for Dogs” on TV.
Pawfect Project, an organization that helps rescued and abandoned dogs and cats, will be accepting donations of dry and canned dog food, flea collars, toys, treats, leashes, collars and bowls for food and water. Items for cats and monetary donations also will be accepted.
Village dog licenses for 2012 and passes for the new Bark Park will also be for sale. Residents must have both to use the new off-leash park.
If you go
What: CSBarks Dog Festival
When: Noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 18
Where: Armstrong Park, 391 Illini Drive, Carol Stream
Cost: Free
Info: csbarks.org