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Dog jumping competition highlight of four-day event in Libertyville

The Dog Days of Summer, featuring a variety of canine-focused competitions, promotions and activities, is coming to Libertyville July 5-8.

A highlight of the festivities is “DockDogs — Big Air Dog Jumping” Road to the National Championship 2012. Competition will be from noon to 6 p.m. Friday, July 6, and continues through the weekend, with the finals Sunday.

Practice sessions for local dogs is from noon to 2 p.m. Thursday, followed by tryouts for the local jumping competition in two waves from 2:30 to 4 p.m. and 4 to 6 p.m.

All jumping practices and events will be at X-Treme Dog Park (PNC Bank parking lot), which backs up to the Civic Center parking lot in downtown Libertyville.

Spectators can expect to see speed, an explosion, big air and a splash as dogs run down a 40-foot dock and jump into a 27,000-gallon, 20-by-40-foot pool, said Bill Kaiser, owner of Pampered Pup’z and producer of Libertyville’s Dog Days of Summer.

This year, the activities also will be available on live streaming video.

The event will feature more than 100 nationally ranked top jumping dogs competing for prizes and rankings. The competition is simple: the dog with the longest leap off the dock wins.

Opening ceremonies are scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, July 8, at the X-Treme Dog Park. Local Boy and Girl Scout troops will present the colors and Mayor Terry Weppler will throw out the first ball as 15 local dogs will jump for the prizes and the title of “Libertyville’s Big Air Dog.”

Afterward, Mickey Finn’s is sponsoring “Rock in Cook Park,” while downtown stores will be open late with wine, cheese and entertainment as part of MainStreet Libertyville’s “First Friday” promotion.

On Saturday, more than 40 booths will line Church Street with veterinarians, rescue groups, caricature artists, photos and other attractions.

Downtown shops will be especially dog-friendly during the event by hosting doggy-related activities such as: Touché’ Salon’s paw-nail painting and bedazzle; Trattoria Pomigliano’s owner/pet look-a-like contest; Rolland’s Jewelers personalized Dog Charms; and “Ye Olde Downtown Treasure Hunt.”

Dog-friendly dining will be available in Cook Park or on the patios of Egg Harbor Café, 545 North Bar & Grill, MainStreet Smokehouse, Casa Bonita, and Mickey Finn’s Brewery. Dog friendly shopping also will be available.

Cook Park, at Milwaukee Avenue and Cook Street, in the heart of downtown, will be the site of merchant-sponsored family/dog-oriented events throughout the weekend.

Attractions include a demonstration by the Lake County Sheriff’s K-9 unit; a doggy fashion show; pet parade; games; breakfast in the park with your pup; and live music.

Breakfast in the park (music provided by Caribou Coffee) will be Sunday, July 8, and St. Lawrence Episcopal Church has a pet blessing ceremony at 11 a.m.

Dog Days of Summer is produced by Pampered Pup’z and sponsored by MainStreet Libertyville, PNC Bank, GreenTree Animal Hospital and Petranek’s Pharmacy.

Visit www.pamperedpupz.com or call (847) 327-9300 for a complete schedule of events.

  Pamela Morgan of Park Ridge throws a toy as her golden retriever Monroe leaps into a 27,000-gallon pool at last year’s Dog Days of Summer event in Libertyville. George LeClaire/gleclaire@dailyherald.com, 2011
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