The Arc of Ohio, in conjunction with the Snotty Pooch Stylish Pet Boutique has an exciting day of events planned for Saturday, Aug. 7.
Dog lovers be on high alert. This is day tailor made for you. Yes, there will be an Everybody Has Talent event as part of the afternoon.
But the highlights, certainly, will belong to the four-legged amongst the crowd.
That’s because Peggy Riccadonna of the Snotty Pooch has put together two canine-centric events sure to delight those in attendance.
First to the starting line will be the first of what potentially will become an annual event, the Weiner Dog Race.
Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Dachshunds to the front, as champions will be crowned in the junior, tweener, and senior divisions starting at 9 a.m. inside the St. Clairsville Rec Center.
“I know a lot of people have them, and they are a great attraction that is a lot of fun,” Riccadonna admitted. “This is an all-inclusive event that everyone will be able to enjoy.”
Riccadonna noted that after a champion is crowned in each division, the respective winners will face off later in the afternoon, on the Central Park amphitheater stage, to determine who’s the fastest wiener dog of them all.
“There are 25 dogs total, and the winners of those three heats will race again to determine the overall winner on the stage,” Riccadonna said. “There will be trophies and prizes. Throughout the festival there are a lot of sponsors giving away prize packages.”
Riccadonna noted that she was pleasantly surprised by the initial turnout of 25 dachshunds for the races.
“I wasn’t sure what to expect our first year and coming out of COVID, so I was pleasantly surprised.”
Not Done There
The full day’s events run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., with most events transpiring behind the rec center in St. Clairsville. The best part? Admission is free.
And while the dachshunds will dash at 9 a.m., it’s not the only dog-themed event for the day.
The Snotty Pooch is also sponsoring a dog festival, which will crown champions in a number of categories, including best trick, and best smooch, among others.
“There are a lot more dogs in the festival overall,” she said. “We have well over 65 dogs. It should be a great turnout, and I’m super excited.”
There will also be vendors and food trucks and other entertainment as part of the festival.
For more information, visit Riccadonna at the Snotty Pooch at 115 E. Main Street in St. Clairsville or stop by the boutique’s Facebook page. Gulla’s Lunch in Bellaire is also serving as a top-level sponsor of the event.
