Denton goes to the dogs

By Kathy Tisdale
Denton Live Spring/Summer 2005

During the Dog Days of Summer Celebration, man’s best friend is the main focus.

Now in its 12th year, the Dog Days of Summer Celebration is the time each year when Denton really does go to the dogs. Here is a special day when your dog is the star and you can participate in activities such as having a photo made at “GlamFur Shots,” and a fortune “fore-tailed” by the Great Barkini. You can even audition your pooch for Pet Star, an Animal Planet TV show, or enter him in the Spokesdog Contest.
And although this day is all about canines, you don’t have to own a dog or be a dog to enjoy it! There are more than 70 booths with arts, crafts, face painting, festival foods, a bounce tent, and dog adoption groups.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN
It all began when Julie Glover, Denton Main Street manager, noticed how many people brought their dogs to the Denton Arts & Jazz Festival and thought people would enjoy an event devoted to their furry friends. The first Dog Days was held in August 1994, consisting of a parade and a few booths sponsored by veterinarians. The organizers were amazed that 400 people attended the first year and 800 the second year.

Although August is known as the “dog days of summer,” the festival moved to June due to the high Texas temperatures in August. Over its 12-year history, Dog Days has become so popular that an astounding 10,000 attendees enjoyed the 2004 event. And that is not counting dogs! Although many other cities and groups have copied the idea, Denton lays claim to be the first city in Texas to have a Dog Days festival. Now that is something to woof about.

EVERY DOG’S DREAM
For the Couch family, coming out for Dog Days is much more than simply attending with their pet. It has become an annual family tradition to celebrate their love of dogs and participate with their standard poodle, Lilly. Couch explains, “We enjoy seeing all the kinds of dogs, meeting other people, and celebrating our love of dogs with others. There is something for every dog, either a contest or activity. We also find this is a very friendly festival with people and dogs interacting. After the dog activities and contests, we shop the square and enjoy some of Beth Marie’s parlor ice cream.”

Their 10-year-old daughter, Arianne, especially loves entering Lilly in the Spokesdog Contest, and starts planning the next year’s theme and costume right after each festival ends. In 2004, the poodle came as Legally Blonde Lilly, outfitted in a pink pillbox hat, pearls, and a pink-and-black striped shirt. To make it more fun, Arianne dresses like Lilly, so last year she also wore a pillbox hat and pearls. In Arianne’s words, “This is the dogs’ day to shine. I love that there is a dogs’ day where everyone can show their support for dogs.”

WHAT, AND WHO, YOU’LL SEE THERE
Last year I wanted to find out what Dog Days was all about, so I gathered my niece, Elizabeth, my red-and-white cocker spaniel, Sombra, and we headed to the Denton Courthouse Square.
We arrived in time to watch the kickoff parade around the Square led by Sparky the Fire Dog, followed by a Heinz 57 variety of canines and their people. It was fun seeing the dogs in costumes, and you know how some dogs look like their masters? Well, it was a sight to behold!

Next, we visited the vendors and activities set up around the Courthouse. Sombra got her “GlamFur” picture taken, all outfitted in a pink tutu, boa, and Rasta braids. The Great Barkini read her paw and “fore-tailed” squirrel chasing in her future. We enjoyed watching the Pet Tricks Contest, where dogs auditioned for the Pet Star TV show, and the Heinz 57 Dog Show, where dogs competed in prestigious categories such as Most Spots, Longest Ears, and Curliest Tail. Have you heard a dog sing? We did at the Singing Contest, where canines howled their stuff. We loved the Spokesdog Pageant where dogs dressed up in colorful costumes. And Sombra’s favorite was without a doubt the gourmet treat booth.

INSIDER TIPS
Denton Main Street Spokesdog Contest: Enter your pooch in the 2006 Spokesdog Contest, where your winning pet’s picture will appear on the 2006 Dog Days of Summer Celebration commemorative T-shirts and posters. The winning dog also receives a jewel-encrusted dog dish and other semi-fabulous prizes.

Note: the contest begins before Dog Days, when contestants submit a photo and a 50-word paragraph by May 23, 2005, describing why their pet would be the perfect spokesdog. For more details visit dentonmainstreet.org and go to the spokesdog page.
Dog comfort station: With thousands of dogs attending, the festival organizers want dogs to be comfortable. Drinking water is available throughout the day, plus a fire hydrant comfort station, waste bags, and pooper-scoopers. Dog Days organizers urge that attendees be polite and “scoopa da poopa.”

LEND A PAW
Volunteers can help with setup, cleanup during the event, tear-down, GlamFur Shots, information booth, souvenir sales, and be stagehands for the contests. If you would like to be a part of this fun-filled day, send an e-mail to JLIB_HTML_CLOAKING listing your name and contact information, or call Denton Main Street at (940) 349-8529.