‘Dog Days of Summer’ family friendly event happening this weekend in Colorado Springs
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- This Saturday and Sunday, dogs and their families are invited to the Norris Penrose Event Center for a variety of fun activities.
The Dog Days of Summer inaugural event features dog adoptions, dog training demonstrations, dog behavior workshops, a flyball course, bounce houses, a petting zoo, and agility courses for both dogs and kids.
Officials say the agility course and flyball course will have instructors so the dog and handler can learn together.
"There's a lot to think about when you have this much entertainment," said Vendor Advocate Samantha Sargent. "The fact that this is a family-friendly event with a huge kid zone and puppy playground. We have those spaces so you can really get engulfed in dogs and your kids are involved."
According to organizers, this event is different from other pet expos. Officials say it's not just geared towards dogs, there will be activities and entertainment for the whole family. Additionally, the event overall is aimed at promoting health and fitness.
Friday, KRDO spoke with Whitney Conder, who will be running the kid's zone. She explained that she'll be speaking and demonstrating on how families can include their dogs in a healthy, active lifestyle. This will include nutrition for both kids and dogs as well as canine-inclusive exercises.
"One of the things I'll teach is an agility ladder," said Conder. "As the kid or adult go through the agility ladder, they're teaching the dog to go right there with them. So they get their exercise but also allow the dog to be a part of it, work with their dog's behavior, help them work with control and build a relationship with their dog."
Bob Warren said that he created the event after being inspired to help kids get outside more, interact with the world around them, and move away from the digital world.
"A while ago I wrote a book called Kids and Canines for kids to be interactive with a dog," said Warren. "I wrote it as an exercise program to get kids outside playing."
Warren said he's never participated in a pet expo before this one that truly focuses on the family dog and kids. He believes this could be the first interactive kids and family dog venue that is strictly about that relationship.
"Bob started with the entertainment," said Sargent. "He knows dogs, he knows shows, he knows how to bring a crowd and entertain that crowd."
The first ever Dog Days of Summer is Saturday, August 6 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, August 7 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The event is held at the Norris Penrose Event Center located at 1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd.
Adults are $8 for a single day or $13 for both. Kids ten and under are free. Click here to purchase tickets online.
If mentioned, tickets buy one get one free.
