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Second annual dog festival set Oct. 1 on Garst grounds

9/14/2011 5:50:00 PM

By Linda Moody

GREENVILLE — When sisters Angela and Shelly Flora, owners of Carefree Connection Bus Tours, planned the Dave’s Diggity Dog Festival on the lawn of Garst Museum last year, the purpose was to bring the community together to celebrate four-legged friends in a fun, family filled environment.

“We promote humanity, kindness and compassion,” the mission statement reads. “We believe that educating the public will build a stronger bond between animals and people. Our goal is to find permanent homes for the cats and dogs in the Darke Country Humane Society and Darke County Animal Shelter.”

“Last year’s show went good,” said Angela Flory, who reported the second annual festival, sponsored by both Carefree Connection and Dave Knapp Ford, will be held 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct 1, rain or shine, once again on the Garst grounds.

The morning, she said, will start off with coffee and breakfast, doggie calisthenics by Russell Rex and a mile dog walk through Greenville City Park, led by Rage — Greenville Township Fire Department’s mascot — followed by dog contests, which will be judged by Greenville Mayor Mike Bowers, Dave Knapp of Dave Knapp Ford, Darke County Municipal Court Judge Julie Monnin and Dr. Clay Johnson, director of Garst Museum, and Shannon Vanatta of Smoke Stack BBQ.

Registration opens at 8:30 a.m. There will be a $12 entry fee onsite for all doggies that would like to participate in the dog walk, dog games, dog contests and wiener dog races (includes free doggie bags for first 100 dogs).

Awards will be presented to the dogs for best dressed, cutest, owner/doggie look-a-like, best eyes, best marking, best legs, best tail and best of show.

There will be all-day flyball and disc demonstrations by Russell Rex with Extreme Insanity Dog Sports and all-day Greenville Area Dog Club demonstrations, with special appearances by Mercer County and Tipp City K-9 Units.

Wiener dog races will be divided by age, with all winners receiving gift bags and ribbons.

“All dogs must be on non-retractable leashes,” the Florys said.

According to the Flory sisters, there will be raffle drawings throughout the day featuring prizes donated by Greenville’s local businesses.

There will be lots of food on the grounds, activities for children and doggie caricature artists, face painting, moon bounces and a fingerprinting station by Greenville Police Department.

A view doggie vendors include Keller Animal Feeds and Needs, Jeannie’s Pooch Parlor, Darke County Humane Society with Adoptable Pets, Friends of the Animal Shelter, Darke County Red Cross CPR, Support Military Working Dogs, Cancer Association of Darke County, Izzy Photos and Design, Pet Therapy and Tiers of Joy — Diaper Cakes.

A portion of the festival proceeds will help the Friends at the Darke County Humane Society and Animal Shelter.

“Discovery’s Animal Planet will be featuring our hometown festival on their website,” Angela said.

For more information or to download doggie forms, visit the website at www.diggitydogfest.com or call Angie at 467-4547.