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While hot air balloons floated across
town for the Balloons Over 66 Festival, a different kind of crowd
gathered Saturday morning outside Faith Church. Beneath a giant,
brightly decorated tent lined with balloons, families showed off
their furry companions at a community pet show.
The event began at 10 a.m. and drew a mix of dogs big and small,
with children and adults leading their pets across a stage to be
judged in categories such as best trick, best dressed, and pet-owner
lookalikes. Pastor Darren Palmer, who co-pastors Faith Church,
welcomed families and opened the show with lighthearted jokes.
“We’re celebrating your pets today, and we just want to thank God
for the goodness in our lives,” Palmer told the crowd.
Judges came from three local animal organizations: the Humane
Society of Logan County, the Animal Protective League of
Springfield, and Logan County Animal Rescue. Shelter manager Lacey
Brooks of the Humane Society noted that the group is volunteer-based
and always in need of help. “It’s not just a job, it’s a passion,”
she said, adding that the shelter currently has dogs and cats
available for adoption at its location on North Lincoln Parkway.
Angel Davidson, speaking for the Animal Protective League, explained
that the Springfield-based group offers a low-cost spay and neuter
clinic and currently has dozens of dogs and kittens available for
adoption. Each adoption includes vaccinations and, for dogs, a free
training lesson. Susan Fine of Logan County Animal Rescue shared
that her small, all-volunteer group works primarily by transporting
unclaimed pets from animal control to no-kill shelters. She said the
group’s next major goal is to bring a spay and neuter clinic to
Lincoln.
Kids took center stage first, proudly
introducing their pets. Winners included Aspen, a sheepdog-poodle
mix shown by Willow Merritt, who took first in the best talent
category. Lulu “Muffin” Butler was named smallest pet, Pepper, a
Dalmatian-sheepdog mix shown by Ella Arriaga, won largest pet, and
Appa, a Shih Tzu mix shown by Haley Arriaga, won best dressed. The
winner of the pet lookalike contest went to Ahsoka and her owner
Sammi, who was dressed with ears and a tail to match the furry
friend.
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In the adult category, Floki the
Maltese-Papillon mix earned first place for best trick, while
Sherman the Maltipoo was recognized as smallest pet and runner-up in
best dressed. Teddy, a golden retriever, took home the ribbon for
largest pet, and Missy, another golden retriever, won best dressed
with her owners.
Raffle prizes from local business Debbie’s Downtown Floral along
with other bigger businesses were awarded, including gift cards,
pet-themed items, and treats. Proceeds from food sales went directly
to the animal organizations represented at the event.
Families left smiling, with many
saying they enjoyed the chance to highlight their pets. One
participant, Rosie Arriaga, whose French bulldog Winston competed,
said, “The most important thing is to have fun today.” Another
attendee added, “We really appreciate Faith Church coming out and
doing this. It was a great time for me and my family”.
Palmer said organizers hope the show will return as an official part
of the Balloons Over 66 estival in the future. “For our first one,
it was really good,” he said. “I think the kids had an incredible
time showing their animals and in fact I think I was most proud of
our kid’s category.”
[Sophia Larimore]
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