YARMOUTH – New England’s largest dog festival returns to Cape Cod this weekend for the third year in a row.
The annual Paw Palooza will be held at Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School on Saturday and Sunday. The event is put on as a collaboration between Agway of Cape Cod, the MSPCA, and the Animal Rescue League.
Last year’s event drew more than 10,000 attendees and hundreds of their four-legged companions.
Since its inception in 2016, the festival has raised more than $50,000 for the Animal Rescue League and the MSPCA.
“[The money] goes right to our operating budget,” said Mary-Sarah Fairweather, the head of the MSPCA of Cape Cod. “We do operate in a deficit because of all the resources that we pour into the animals that are in our care and also to our programs to help people keep their pets.”
“These funds are critical and so very much needed,” Fairweather added.
Paw Palooza will once again have a DockDogs competition, which showcases dogs leaping into a 40-foot pool trying to set the best marks for distance, height, and speed.
Competitors from around the country are expected to perform, but novices are also welcome to try out for the first time. Registration for the event is available at www.pawpaloozacapecod.com or on-site the day of the event.
The festival will also feature a performance by the Canines in the Clouds Stunt Dogs. The animals perform agility and a variety of tricks, including Frisbee catching.
Nearly 100 pet vendors will also be on hand with their dog-related products.
“Anything you can think of that’s dog-related is going to be at Paw Palooza,” said Jessica Thomas, the co-owner of Agway of Cape Cod.
K9 units from the Yarmouth Police Department and the Barnstable County Sheriff’s Department will be on hand for a series of demonstrations.
Organizers will also pay tribute to slain Yarmouth K9 Sgt. Sean Gannon with fundraising mini-concerts from a cappella groups Hyannis Sound and Cape Harmony. All the money raised will be donated to the Sean Gannon Memorial Foundations.
Admission is $7 at the gate. There is no charge for dogs or children under the age of 12.
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