Medinah festival helps dogs welcome the summer
Thorndale Park once again will go to the dogs this weekend when Medinah Park District hosts its annual Dog Day of Summer event.
The dog festival is scheduled for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 8, at the park, 22W130 Thorndale Ave., Medinah. There will be a variety of activities for dogs and their owners, including demonstrations, contests and an agility/obstacle course.
"There's so many people who walk the parks with their pets that we wanted to have an event for them," said Carol Healy, the park district's recreation supervisor. "This is a way for people to kick off the summer with their pets."
Chicagoland Dog Rescue helps the district organize the event, which is in its fourth year. Admission is free, but dogs are required to be on a leash.
Healy said Thorndale Park will be transformed into a dog theme park with everything geared for the four-legged pets.
She said the agility/obstacle course will be available for dogs to enjoy between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. In addition, dogs will be able to play musical chairs during that time.
"When they first told me they do musical chairs with the dogs, I was like, 'I don't understand this,'" Healy said. "But they do it."
A peanut butter-eating contest begins at 1 p.m. Of course, humans aren't allowed to compete.
For humans who develop an appetite, one of the many vendors participating in this year's festival will be a people food vendor - Golden Eagle Hot Dogs.
Meanwhile, there should be plenty for the dogs to eat.
"Usually, a lot of the vendors have treats for the dogs," Healy said.
Pet owners will be able to visit the booths to get dog training information, buy items or sign up for services. The list of vendors includes Almost Home Foundation, Graham's Pet Depot, Pampered Pooch Couture, For Tails Only, and Lake Street Animal Hospital.
Skydogz, a flying disc-catching dog group, is scheduled to perform at noon and 1:30 p.m. There also will be a canine demonstration at 12:30 p.m.
In previous years, the festival has drawn between 100 and 200 people and their pets, Healy said. She anticipates turnout this weekend will depend on the weather.
Just in case it gets hot, there will be small pools of water that the dogs can use to cool off or get a drink.
"We really want the dogs and their owners to come out and enjoy the weather," Healy said.
If you go
What: Dog Day of Summer
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, June 8
Where: Medinah Park District's Thorndale Park, 22W130 Thorndale Ave., Medinah
Cost: Free admission
Info: <a href="http://www.medinahparkdistrict.org/">medinahparkdistrict.org</a>