The following was taken from the MarshallNewsMessenger.com:
By Hannah DeClerk
Downtown Marshall was truly “for the dogs” Saturday as community members, visitors, and canines alike gathered to participate in a plethora of events for just about anybody.
“No matter what you love, we have everything today. What we wanted was for everyone to have a choice, to be able to have their own choice of activities, so it has been a busy weekend,” “Convention and Visitors Bureau Director of Visitors Services Geraldine Mauthe said.
Activities began bright and early Saturday with a 5K Dash for Dogs, at the downtown square.
Entry fee for the race were $20 for early registration, or $25 entry fee with all proceeds going to support the Pet Place and the Humane Society of Harrison County.
“We had a lot of runners come out for today’s race, and because of it, we raised about $5,000 for the pet place, so we are excited about that,” Harrison County Humane Society Facility Director Kay Hill said.
Participants were next encouraged to attend the annual one-mile “Faux Paws” dog walk, sponsored by the Marshall Rotary Club at Telegraph Park, which began at 10 a.m. across from the historic Harrison County Courthouse on the downtown square.
The entry fee was $10 per dog; and pets received a bandana and the chance to compete for Best Costume, Best “Trick and Doggy Sit,” in a canine version of musical chairs.
“It brings dogs to the downtown area,” Humane Society of Harrison County President Sally Socia said. “To me, it is important to see these pets with good guardians, who enjoy getting to show off their animals.”
Dogs ranging from black poodles to dachshunds were also available for adoption, and were sporting colorful “adopt me” bandanas.
“This is our tenth annual event, and I would say it was one of the largest yet,” Ms. Socia said. “So today people also get to see the needy dogs we need to be adopted out, so it is good for us in several ways.”
During the dog walk, participants were also given the opportunity to listen to from blues singer Bobby Oliver who played on the Telegraph Park Stage.
“We will be having musicians play on this stage all day,” Birthplace of Boogie Woogie program co-director Nancy Canson said. “Music in Marshall just makes everything better, and I can’t think of a better way to kick off the dog walk with music.”
Musicians continued to play throughout the day on the stage, including Emerald Marie and Dooley the Fiddler, and Dan Anderson and Sheila Clark.
***Numerous photos of the days events and participants can be found here.
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