The Stow-Munroe Falls Lions Club started Paw Fest 13 years ago. Event organizers estimate 1,200 1,500 people and their dogs from multiple Ohio counties attend each year.
Since the beginning, the Lions Club has invited dog related groups to showcase their products so that their mission of educating the public of the safety, training and care of the family dog is maintained.
Besides looking at the different vendors, dog owners can watch presentations on such topics as canine first aid and training.
There are four contests for dogs, including Best Costume in a Parade, Best Dog Trick, Long & Short Dog Tails and this year a new one, Dunkin’ for a Tennis Ball.
If you’re interested in adoption, multiple rescue groups will be there. The Humane Society and rescue organizations featuring Dobermans, Greyhounds and Boston Terriers have all showcased adoptable dogs.
There is a variety of food venders for humans and their furry friends if someone wants a snack.
Money from a raffle, as well as vendor fees, goes toward several programs, including purchasing an assistant/service dog raised and trained by Pilot Dogs, an organization from Columbus, as well as helping visually impaired adults and children through education, eye checks in schools, eye exams, surgeries and glasses.
Labapalooza started in 2011with attendance steadily growing to last year’s 500 attendees. The event brings together dog lovers, LOLIN alumni and lovers of wine and music to celebrate the many canines rescued and finding their forever homes that year.
There are two different rounds of games for dogs. A few of the games include people and pup potato sack race, lei marathon contest and the wall of balls challenge.
Owners and their furry companions can browse the different dog-related vendors or watch presentations by training experts.
For the adult humans, Mallow Run Winery offers wine tasting with a deli snack bar. For all humans a variety of different foods are available at the food trucks and this year the band Heartstone Crossing will provide the entertainment throughout the event.
There are game prizes for the dog competitors, a silent auction and raffles for the humans.
Labapalooza puts their own canine spin to the classic 50/50 drawing. Participants draw a number on a tennis ball and throw it into a pen enclosure. At the end of Labapalooza, a Labrador is sent into the pen to grab one tennis ball. The winner is the person whose ball was chosen by the dog.
Last year the event raised $11,000 for LOLIN. Funds raised fund the rescue for many months. Treatment of a heartworm positive dog can run approximately $600 and this fundraiser helps LOLIN take into its’ rescue program, medical needs labs that might otherwise be passed over.
So if you have a penchant for fall road trips, check out one of these two festivals.
For more information on events
Paw Fest: duhstoy2@gmail.com
Labapalooza: LOLIN.org
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