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closeCity, businesses and dogs benefit from Mutts Off Main
Sumner Downtown Association hosts third annual dog-themed event with some alterations
Roxanne Cooke
Back in 2005, one downtown Sumner merchant brought the idea of Mutts Off Main to life — and the canine-lovers’ festival continues its success for the third year this weekend.
Janice Stauffer, the owner of former downtown business Dogs in the Garden, suggested a few years ago that the Sumner Downtown Association host a dog-related event, said Shelly Schlumpf, executive director of SDA. Enough other merchants hopped on board with the idea, so it became part of the 2006 calendar of events.
Mutts Off Main was an instant success, drawing crowds of people — and pets — from Sumner as well as from out of town, Schlumpf said.
“I had no idea Sumner had so many pets,” she said. “It kind of hit the ground running. People wanted it. And the kids loved it.”
After working out some kinks, the event is now more organized, Schlumpf said. It was shortened from eight hours to five, food is now available and the hot dog eating contest has a two-minute limit rather than an hour.
Microchipping for dogs was offered the first year of the event and has now returned because of popular demand, she said. The insert goes under the pet’s skin, costs $30 and acts as a way to identify lost pets.
City staff will also be on hand at this year’s event to offer pet licenses, the Sumner Community Food Bank will accept donations of pet items and other local organizations such as the Humane Society for Tacoma and Pierce County will offer informational handouts. Dog blessings from Father Young and a presentation by Joy Turner, pet communicator, are also part of the day’s events.
It’s a Dog’s World Training and Agility Center will offer demonstrations of an agility course twice during the event. The agility center is one of many local businesses that gets its name out there through Mutts Off Main.
That’s the beauty of it, Schlumpf said. Mutts Off Main adds to SDA’s variety of events, draws in people from outside town and benefits local businesses.
“It’s an opportunity for our businesses to interact with our community,” she said.
SDA expects close to 1,000 attendees at this year’s event, depending on the weather, Schlumpf said. Both previous events were hot, sunny days, so she’s hoping for a slightly cooler temperature for the dogs’ sake.
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MUTTS OFF MAIN SCHEDULE
This year’s Mutts Off Main event includes contests, an agility course, race and a Mutt Parade at noon. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Heritage Park in downtown Sumner, near the intersection of Kincaid, Cherry and Main. Event is free to attend and $5 per event entered.
For more information, call the Sumner Downtown Association at 253-720-9846 or visit www.sumnerdowntown.com.
> 10 a.m. — Welcome by Mayor Dave Enslow
> 10:05 a.m. — It’s a Dog’s World Agility Demonstration
> 10:35 a.m. — Local city and county pet licensing information
> 10:45 a.m. — Dashing Doxie Race
> 11 a.m. — Carting Demonstration, Rally-O
> 11:30 a.m. — Joy Turner, Pet Communicator
> Noon — Main Street Mutt Parade
> 12:30 p.m. — Hot Dog Eating Contest
> 12:45 p.m. — Doggie Fashion Show and Dog Contests
> 1:15 p.m. — Best Mutt Tricks
> 1:45 p.m. — Father Young’s Animal Blessings
> 2:30 p.m. — It’s a Dog’s World Agility Demonstrations