REMINDER: Dog Day Afternoon Just Days Away — May 3 in Columbia

We’re now just days away from Columbia Association’s eighth-annual Dog Day Afternoon, when “Central Bark” will be full of tail-wagging fun. The day includes numerous events for local canines and their people to enjoy during an afternoon of contests, treats, activities and more.

Dog Day Afternoon is being held on Saturday, May 3, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Hopewell Park, located at 9200 Rustling Leaf in Columbia. A rain date has been set for Sunday, May 4, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Hopewell Park.

The schedule of activities inside Central Bark is as follows:

• Noon — Mutts Gone Nuts comedy dog act performance

• 12:45 p.m. — Tricks for Treats Contest, sponsored by Camp Bow Wow of Columbia

Time and events are subject to change.

New this year are the pet communications readings with pet communicator Emerald DuCoeur, which will be $10 for 10 minutes. Other activities going on throughout Dog Day Afternoon include open-play areas; the Doggy Dash half-mile trail; the Columbia’s Cutest Canine contest; caricature artists; raffles; face painting; music; and a kids’ arts and crafts station sponsored by Columbia Art Center. McGruff the Crime Dog also will be making a special appearance.

Admission to Dog Day Afternoon is free. Registration is encouraged but not required via ColumbiaAssociation.org/DogDay.

CA also will be selling their official Dog Day Afternoon T-shirts for $10, or two for $15. Caricature drawings of your loveable four-legged friend(s) are $5 for a black-and-white drawing and $10 for a color drawing. Only cash will be accepted during Dog Day Afternoon. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Animal Welfare Society of Howard County.

In addition, CA will be collecting items to be donated to the Animal Welfare Society of Howard County including:

• canned cat and dog food

• dry cat and dog food

• soft treats and biscuit-type treats

• new dog and cat toys (Kong-type indestructible toys are great!)

• blankets and towels

Dog Day Afternoon event also will feature local businesses and organizations that focus on the health, happiness and well-being of our beloved furry friends.

This year’s event is being sponsored by our Tail Waggin’ Sponsor, VCA Animal Hospitals, and by the Top Dog Sponsors: A&B’s Pampered Pets LLC, Banfield Pet Hospital, Camp Bow Wow of Columbia, PetSmartand Subaru.

For more information, go to ColumbiaAssociation.org/DogDay, call 410-423-1891, or emailErin.McPhail@ColumbiaAssociation.org.

About Columbia Association

Columbia Association (CA) is a nonprofit service corporation that manages Columbia, MD, a planned community that is home to approximately 100,000 people and several thousand businesses. Additional information about CA is available at ColumbiaAssociation.org.