Dog Days of Summer event features activities for your pooch

Watch as 100 nationally ranked top jumping dogs run down a 40-foot dock and jump for distance into a 27,000-gallon pool of water as Libertyville again hosts the four-day “DockDogs-Road to the National Championship” competition, part of the annual Dog Days of Summer event.

Opening ceremonies are at 6 p.m. Friday, July 12, at the X-Treme Dog Park in the PNC Bank Parking lot, 325 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Mayor Terry Weppler will throw out the first ball to start the local jumping competition, in which 15 local dogs compete for the title of “Libertyville’s Big Air Dog.”

“Rock in Cook Park,” with music provided by Mickey Finn’s, will follow the opening ceremonies.

Cook Park, fronting Milwaukee Avenue in the heart of downtown, will be the site of several dog-oriented events throughout the weekend.

See the Lake County Sheriff’s K-9s, Serendipidity’s Doggie Fashion Show, How Impressive’s! Pet Parade, Forest Bootery’s Family Dog Games, Libertyville Sports Complex’s exercise with your pup, Midwest Disc Club Frisbee dogs, Save-A-Pet’s Petathon 3K dog walk, Baker’s Square’s breakfast in the park, pet blessing ceremony at St. Lawrence Episcopal Church, the Rory Tyer Band and, fresh this year, Fine’s Dog Pie Hurl.

The four-day Dog Days of Summer celebration is produced by Pampered Pup’z and sponsored by PNC Bank, Petranek’s Pharmacy, Save-A-Pet, GreenTree Animal Hospital and MainStreet Libertyville.

For a complete schedule of events, visit www.pamperedpupz.com