FESTIVALS

Dog-lovers across Nashville are invited to bring their four-legged companions to Centennial Park for the 2011 Dog Day Festival hosted by the Nashville Humane Association (NHA) and sponsored by Pedigree. With a goal of raising $40,000 through dog walk participants, NHA will kick off the festival with The Music City Mutt Strutt dog walk at 9:30am. The festivities will continue until 4:00pm, where attendees can enjoy live music, visit a doggie spa and enter their dogs to win quirky awards such as “Waggliest Tail” and ”Best Bark.”

“Dog Day Festival is a fun opportunity for the Nashville Humane Association to say thanks to our dogs and dog-lovers in Nashville and to remind people how enriching animals can be to our lives” said Mary Pat Boatfield, executive director of the Nashville Humane Association. “Currently, there are thousands of homeless animals in need throughout our community. We hope Dog Day Festival will encourage our neighbors to enjoy a day with man’s best friend and consider rescuing a homeless pet.”

A schedule of the day’s activities includes:

9:30am – Music City Mutt Strutt: This community dog walk encourages participants to raise money for the Nashville Humane Association through sponsorships. Registration is $25 per adult and $20 for kids aged 11-17 years old. Prizes will be awarded to those participants who raise the most money. Registration and check-in begins at 8:30am.
10:00am – Pet First Aid Course: This overview course is taught by the Nashville K-9. Participants are asked to sign-up online prior to the event, and the $20 cost will be credited to those interested in receiving certification.
11:00am – Micro-Chip Clinic: Help ensure your pet’s safety during this two hour clinic. The cost is $25 including registration.
11:15am & 1:00pm – Police Dog Demonstration: Nashville K-9 will demonstrate training fundamentals.
12:00pm – Pedigree Paws Parade – Sponsored by Pedigree, NHA will showcase the many dogs available for adoption on the Pet Supermaket Main Stage.
1:00pm – “Dog Parade” Book Signing – Barbara Josse, local author of the new children’s book, “Dog Parade,” will be signing books in the kid zone. 

This year’s Dog Day Festival is sponsored by Pedigree, Pet Supermarket, Freeland Superstore, Fifth Third Bank, Genesco, The Farm, The Humane Society of the United States, Super Speedwash, Greymont, Crown Tents & Events, Nashville Paw, Mix 92.9, News 2 WKRN, Yelp and the Nashville Scene.