Strong turnout for first Glen Ellyn Poochapalooza

Nevermind the big festival that came to Chicago's Grant Park this weekend.

While that Lolla offered only music, music and more music, the palooza that came to Glen Ellyn on Sunday offered shopping, swimming, new friends, stunt shows and, yes, music.

The first-ever Poochapalooza welcomed local dogs and their owners to the field at Spring Avenue Recreation Center for a day focused on canine fun.

The Glen Ellyn Park District planned Poochapalooza after its annual Doggy Dip was canceled due to health concerns about dogs swimming in park district pools.

"We wanted to have something that still puts dogs front and center," said Sarah Wettergreen, the park district's recreation supervisor.

The event included vendors that offer services like boarding and pet portraits, baby pools and sprinklers for dogs to cool off, a Frisbee performance by the Disc Dogs, demonstrations on pet first-aid and, of course, doggy bags for every animal there.

Although park district officials wondered if Poochapalooza would be as popular as the Doggy Dip, which typically attracted up to 200 pets, the event launched with a strong start. Dog owners lined up at the gates as soon as they opened and more than 50 were on site within the first 30 minutes.

"The first time you do anything new like this you're always a little nervous," said park district spokeswoman Kathleen Talenco. "But it looks like a great turnout so far. We hope to make this an annual event."

Dogs like Comet, a golden Labrador mix belonging to June and Robert Okarski of Glen Ellyn, braved 85-degree heat Sunday to spend a day with comrades.

June Okarski said 10-year-old Comet is always excited to meet other dogs, but sometimes the thrill can be exhausting.

"In people years he's about 70, and like any 70-year-old, sometimes it all gets to be too much," said Robert Okarski, as he led Comet to the wading pool for a dip.

Other owners convinced their dogs, who were all leashed, so sit in the shade and watch the Disc Dog demonstrations. Others, like Jessica Rodriguez of Naperville, simply carried their pets.

Rodriguez is new to the area from Cleveland and her Peekapoo, Mojito, is new to the world at only 4 months old. She said Poochapalooza was a great way to get out and see what their new home has to offer.

"I just thought it would be fun to stop by," she said.