JACKSON, MI- Cascades Humane Society is excited to announce a new location for their annual Paws in the Park dog walk-a-thon fundraiser, presented by Lammer’s Heating and Air Conditioning. This year, instead of being at the Cascades Falls Park, it will be held downtown Jackson at Horace Blackman park. “We are thrilled to be partnering with the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) to bring new life to our fun event. Downtown Jackson will be hosting their own Summerfest at the same time, so patrons can take part in both festivities”.
For the third year, Paws in the Park will feature a 5k that will be chip timed by the Michigan Running Foundation. Awards will be given to the top 3 runners in each age group, both male and female. All finishers will receive a special Paws in the Park medal, made of green glass acrylic and custom engraved for this year. In addition, “CHS will also be celebrating the canine participants, with top dog awards given to the first 3 dogs to cross the finish line,” states Heather Leszczynski, Executive Director. The 5k will start at 10am with a flexible start until 10:30. Race packets can be picked up the night before, from 5-7pm at Horace Blackman park, or starting at 8am the day of the event.
A shorter 1 mile walk, the Woof Walk, is also available, and both the walk and the run will be held Saturday, August 14th, in the morning. Registration for both the walk and the run include a Paws in the Park 2021 performance T-shirt and a goodie bag featuring sponsors. Registration for the 5k is $35 and the walk is $25, up until the day of the event.
Ultimate Air Dogs (UAD) – the premier dog dock jumping organization – will also be back after taking a year off due to the pandemic. “This is a very fun event where dogs run off the dock and dive into a 35,000-gallon pool to see how far they can jump. Anyone can enter the competition as long as their dog is a good swimmer. The distance is measured from the dock closest to the waters’ edge to the base of the dog’s tail” explains Leszczynski. It is showcased in different rounds called ‘Splashes’. There will be three ‘Splash’ times throughout the weekend (Friday and Saturday) and you can enter your dog into one or all of them. Cost is $20 (pre-register, or $25 the day of) per ‘Splash’ and includes two tries and practice right before your paid ‘Splash’ competition time. UAD will award the top 3 dogs in each division after the third ‘Splash’. You can also opt to just let your dog practice in between ‘Splashes’ and not compete for $20 per day. There will be one ‘Splash’ Friday August 13th in the afternoon, and two the following day on Saturday.
In addition to the walk, run, and Ultimate Air Dogs, there will be music, venders to shop, food to purchase through Jackson Breakfast Rotary Club, and a new vaccine clinic on Saturday. On Friday night, CHS and the DDA will be hosting a family friendly pet-themed movie night in Horace Blackman park.
“And, most importantly, this is a fundraiser for the animals in our care. Whether you register for the walk or the run, participate in the vaccine clinic, sign up for the UAD splashes, or purchase food from the Rotary, you will be directly contributing to the welfare of the more than 1,400 animals that come through our doors each year. When you register for the walk or the run, you will be asked to create a Fundraiser page. We hope everyone does this, and shares it on social media along with the reasons why animals and CHS are important to them. The peer to peer fundraising piece is a large part of what makes this event successful. Prizes will be awarded to the top fundraisers” explains Leszczynski.
“Events like this, along with individual donations, business sponsorships, and grants, keep CHS open, as we do not receive any funding from the government or state and national humane societies. Every dollar truly counts!” Leszczynski urges.
To learn more about this fun event or to register your dog, go to: chspets.com/pip2021/.
