Dogfest At Church Dog Park

Livingston County dog lovers can check out Dogfest 2011 from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 11.

Arise Church Community Dog Park sponsors and hosts the event.  

Arise Church opened its dog park on Dexter-Pinckney road to the public one year ago, but at that time the congregation was building its first permanent building after having been a mobile church for 12 years. 

Rev. Don Weatherup, Arise Church’s Pastor,  said,“Due to the mess of ongoing construction last summer, we decided that a dog park grand opening celebration was not possible at that time. We thought the one-year anniversary of the dog park provided a great opportunity.”

The event's called Dogfest 2011 because church officials hope it will become an annual event. It includes various dog-related activities, such as a 4-H dog handling competition, the Livingston County Sheriff K-9 demonstration, disc dog demonstration, and hunting dog demonstration. 

Dogfest 2011 serves as a terrific opportunity for dog lovers to see a variety of dog breeds.  Please note that only non-aggressive dogs are eligible to use the dog park. 

An outdoor "doggie mall" also will feature displays and product sales by area businesses/services that cater to dog owners.  Dog-related businesses interested in participating can contact Arise Church at (734) 878-1928 for details.

“The only exception will be dog breeders," Weatherup said. "We want to discourage impulse buying of a dog so we have exempted this category of business from the 'doggie mall.'" 

 Arise Church is one of only a handful of churches nationwide to own and operate a dog park. Its Community Dog Park is the only free public dog park in Livingston County and is open dusk to dawn Monday through Saturday, and Sunday from noon until dusk. 

All users of the dog park must be willing to abide by the posted rules, which can also be found at www.arisechurch.com/DogPark.php.