High-flying dogs will dive off a dock to splash in a pool as they compete Friday and Saturday at Glasgow Park in the debut “Pets in the Park” event, hosted by New Castle County and Concord Pet Foods & Supplies.
Guests at the free and family-friendly event, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, are invited to bring their dogs to try their paws at dock-diving.
“They show dogs doing this on TV, but this is a chance to see them up close and let your dog try it to compete or just for fun,” County Executive Thomas P. Gordon said. “What a special attraction for Glasgow Park.”
DockDogs -- the independent governing body for the sport of dog dock-diving – will demonstrate and present three competitions. Registration and practice start at 9 a.m. each day.
? -- “Big Air Wave” judges the longest jump as dogs run down a 40-foot dock and dive into a pool after an object.
? -- In “Extreme Vertical,” dogs jump for a hanging object, raised each round until just one dog gets it and wins.
? -- “Speed Retrieve” times how fast dogs run the dock, jump into the pool and get a hanging object.
DockDogs’ Friday schedule lists Big Air Wave at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m., with Extreme Vertical at 3 p.m. Saturday’s schedule has Big Air Wave at 10 and 11:30 a.m., practice at 12:30 and Speed Retrieve finals at 1 p.m.
Informational pet workshops will start on the hour throughout the event, planned as an annual celebration. Many rescue groups and animal-related businesses will join the fun, with WSTW 93.7 and WDSD 94.7 starting at 10 a.m. both days. County Police K-9 teams also will demonstrate their skills.
Vendors begin arriving Friday, with guests also invited to the popular 3-7 p.m. Glasgow Park Farmers Market. Saturday will peak at 50 vendors with goods from pet treats to people food. Children also will enjoy free face-painting and moon bounce.
For more information, visit www.nccde.org/specialevents or call (302) 395-5612. The park address for GPS is 2199 Pulaski Highway, Newark, DE 19702.