5 fun things to do with your dog this summer in the suburbs, city
The Dog Days of summer traditionally bring hotter temperatures and a good excuse to slow down. But if you own a dog, summer offers the perfect time for outings with your pooch. Here are five Fido-friendly activities for the warm-weather months.
1. Mercury's Canine Cruise
Bring your pup on a leash and enjoy quality time with your dog while cruising Chicago's waterways.
Mercury Cruises offers canine cruises Saturdays and Sundays from July 7 to Oct. 7. Relax, enjoy the sights and listen to lively narration of Chicago's history and architectural marvels, including dog-friendly highlights. The boat offers outdoor seating, water bowls and a special newspaper-lined restroom for your pet. Tours depart at 10:15 a.m. from Michigan Avenue on the Chicago Riverwalk at the dock with the blue awning (112 E. Wacker Drive) three blocks north of Millennium Park. The cost is $35 for adults, $14 for kids and $8 for dogs. Kids under 5 ride free. Get tickets at MercuryCruises.com or at the dockside office.
2. Bark in the Park
Bring your four-legged friends to see the Schaumburg Boomers play the Washington Wild Things for a trip to the ballpark that's all about them.
Game time is 1 p.m. Sunday, June 24, at Boomers Stadium, 1999 S. Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg. Ticket prices vary. See boomersbaseball.com or call (847) 461-3695.
3. Dog Days of Summer
Libertyville's 10th annual Dog Days of Summer is a three-day event featuring police dog demonstrations, a pet blessing, 3K fun walk, 30-plus pet vendors, water competitions for dogs and more.
The highlight is the DockDogs National Premier Canine Aquatic Jumping Competition. The contest features more than 100 nationally ranked dogs sprinting down a 40-foot dock and leaping into a 27,000-gallon pool of water, hoping for the longest distance or the highest vertical leap. The event runs noon to 7 p.m. Friday, July 6; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 7 and 8. It's at Cook Park, Milwaukee Avenue and Church Street, Libertyville. Admission is free. www.facebook.com/thedogdayssummer.
4. Dog Days at Cantigny Park
Have fun with your best friend at Dog Days on Saturday, Aug. 4, at Cantigny Park in Wheaton. There will be a dog play area, vendors from the dog world and specially trained canines to entertain. All dogs must have current vaccination tags and be social with others. No retractable leashes. The event runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, at Cantigny Park parade field, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. $10 per car for parking; crafts are extra. See cantigny.org/event/dog-days/ or call (630) 668-5161.
5. Frisbee championships
Leaping Labs, Awesome Aussies and other flying Fidos will compete in The Ashley Whippet World dog Frisbee Championships on Labor Day weekend. Forty to 60 teams of dogs and their handlers will come from all over the world for the long-standing annual event. Bleachers will be ready and spectators can bring their lawn chairs as well as leashed dogs - athletic or not.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 1, and Sunday, Sept. 2, at the Nike Sports Complex, 288 W. Diehl Road, Naperville. Admission is free. Email Tom Wehrli at k9discfan@ameritech.net for details.