ELIZABETHTOWN — June 16 is going to be a day set aside just for the party animals.
The Bladen County Animal Control Advisory Board is planning the first-ever Pet Palooza, an effort to celebrate the non-human family members in the Mother County and benefit the Bladen County Animal Shelter’s non-profit trust fund for an animal exercise area.
“As you know, we’re not a rich county,” said Advisory Board member Mike Jackson. “The Advisory Board was looking at what we could do to help the shelter — to finish up some projects and just do some general things to improve the quality of the services for pets in the county, and hopefully this will raise awareness about the number of dogs and pets that go through the shelter.”
Scheduled to be held at the National Guard Armory and Elizabethtown’s new dog park on Swanzy Street, part of the evening’s festivities will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly established pet park.
The whole day will go to the dogs, so to speak. Pets are welcome at the entire event, which will be held from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Vendors and food will be set up at 5:30, and the ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. A K-9 race will be held at 6:30 p.m. Games, a silent auction, and a 50/50 raffle will run concurrently with the other scheduled events.
Popular local band The Loose Floorboards will be playing a wide variety of classic rock, country, oldies and beach music beginning at 7:30 p.m.
The organizers are now seeking sponsorships for the evening. For a $1,000 sponsorship, Pet Ambassadors get their names on event signs, T-shirts, news media, and social media, as well as event recognition. Pet Partners, for $500 to $999, get their names on event signs and T-shirts and at event recognition. Pet Friendly sponsors, who give between $100 and $499, will get their names on event signs and receive recognition at the Pet Palooza. The fee to set up a table is $25, and vendors must bring their own equipment needs. All donations are tax deductible.
For more information, Jackson can be contacted by email at mjjackson81@embarqmail.com.
Chrysta Carroll can be reached by calling 910-862-4163.