(PRESS RELEASE) GEORGETOWN, TX – Woof Woof Woof…This year’s Red Poppy Festival was worthy of barks all around. Historic Downtown Georgetown, named the Most Beautiful Townsquare in Texas, provided the setting for the pet-friendly POPP Pup Parade Sunday April 30th. This year’s event also celebrated the 175th Birthday of both the city of Georgetown and Williamson County, Texas.
The POPP Pup Parade kicked off from Wag Heaven’s Downtown Georgetown location at 6th and Rock Streets, making its way through downtown and around the original Williamson County Courthouse. It was led by adoptable pets from Georgetown Animal Shelter looking for Furever homes, and by The Flying Disc Dogs of Texas, a non-profit disc doggers club, with canines performing gravity-defying stunts. Georgetown Fire Department’s own Golden Retriever Koda and Deputy Fire Marshal Jonathan Gilliam ended the procession.
A pet costume contest was held after the parade. The top 10 finalists, chosen from entries submitted online with pictures, strutted in front of local celebrity judges, including the City of Georgetown’s Mayor Josh Schroeder, the Founder of All Things Wild Rehabilitation Center, Helen Laughlin, President and CEO of Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, Shontel Mays, and Director of Visit Georgetown, Cari Miller. 1st, 2nd and 3rd Place winners received monthly pet food from Nulo, Fromm, and NutriSource. Swag Bags were given out to participants, included items and bags from Dave’s Pet Foods, Nulo, Plato Treats, and Fromm.
“We are so grateful for the community’s participation,” said Jeff Manley of Wag Heaven. “We enjoy seeing the creative pet costumes, and all the participants love showing off their dogs to the crowd.”
“This was a first for many residents to experience a disc dog performance in person,” says Jusak Yang Bernhard of Wag Heaven. “The goal of The Flying Disc Dogs of Texas is to introduce the art of athleticism of these specially trained dogs with a delightful performance for children and adults to enjoy.”
“Wag Heaven has certainly embraced the City of Georgetown,” said Mayor Josh Schroeder. “Jusak’s and Jeff’s efforts to help the pet communities locally and nationally are commendable.” “It was exciting to see the courthouse at the center of our beautiful Townsquare fully encircled by dressed up dogs and their owners,” added Visit Georgetown Director Cari Miller.