How to Go
- WHAT: Doggie Dash 'n' Splash
- WHERE: Fairgrounds Recreation Center, 210 Fairground Road, in Xenia
- WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 22
- MORE INFO: Vendors, human and dog alike, talent, costume and look-a-like contests, a duck herding demonstration and Frisbee-catching dog. Andrea Malavich, spokeswoman, said Paul Mitchell will preview a new line of pet products with proceeds to the dog park. Students from the Cincinnati Academy will give human haircuts for a donation.
XENIA — There won’t be a pool at this year’s 4th Doggie Dash ‘n’ Splash Festival, but thousands of visitors should be more prepared than ever to get wet.
County budget cuts closed the Xenia pool where the festival is normally held, but festival organizers responded by building canine themed sprinklers, said Chrisbell Bednar, parks director. Workers transformed old fire hydrants, toilets and other spare parts for the festival.
“It’s reuse of existing stuff. There will be water features all over,” Bednar said. “This year, come to get wet.”
Doggie Dash ‘n’ Splash, which supports the county’s Scout Burnell-Garbrecht Dog Park, has drawn large crowds the last two years. This summer 5,000 canines and 10,000 of their human companions are expected to come from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and Ohio.
Bednar said there’s a growing market for events that cater to both pets and their owners.
“People want to spend time with their pets. They like to travel with their dogs. It’s amazing what people will do when it comes to their pets.”
Xenia’s event is just the first of several upcoming Miami Valley events where dogs are allowed into the pools at the end of the season.
On Sept. 8 Splash Moraine will hold its Soggy Doggy Day. Wilson Park Pool in West Carrollton holds the Doggie Dive Splash Festival on Sept. 12 with admission benefitting dog rescue groups. The Beach Waterpark in Mason will hold a Dog Day on Sept. 13.
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