High Country Pet Festival

Pet lovers mark your calendar for the 5th Annual High Country Pet Fest to be held July 22 & 23, at Banner Elk Elementary School lawn. The Annual High Country Pet Fest is a community-wide event that celebrates pets and the families who love them. The Banner Elk TDA, The Avery County Chamber of Commerce and My Best Friend’s Barkery proudly host the festival with proceeds from this event benefitting local animal-related charities. This year’s 2016 High Country Pet Fest will incorporate lively entertainment and educational opportunities for pet owners. A disc-dog competition will have dogs flying high with the Southeast Disc Dogs, who will be holding their disc dog competition here in Banner Elk on July 22 & 23. Check out how our local K9s walk the beat with other planned exhibitions include the working dogs of the Avery County K9 unit and a Search and Rescue team. Bring along the little ones, because the High Country Horse Helpers will be here offering pony rides, storytelling, and book signing. Learn more about your best friend’s needs with a meet & greet with educational seminars by local veterinarians and other local pet professionals, the Blessing of the Dogs. Perk up your ears for a concert by one of our local favorite bands, The Whip Daddys with Madd Dog. Compete to have your pooch awarded first prize in the ever popular High Country Dog Show, and shop with a variety of vendors! Have your dog try out the latest AKC dog sport, Swift Paws lure coursing. All this and more will take place on July 22 & 23th at the Historic Banner Elk Elementary School grounds. You can enter your dog in our pet show with categories such as the smallest or largest, youngest or oldest, best tail wagger, most Ear-ristible, best handshake or best smile. Who knows you may even win first prize! Rescues Come out and support Avery County Humane Society, Yancy County Humane Society, High Country Horse Helpers, Lees McRae Wildlife Institute, Second Chance Dogs of Ashe County and Partners Canine. These rescues rely on support from the community to run their daily services in order to provide food, shelter, medical needs and more to so many animals in need that would never have a chance. 7/22/2016 12 PM - 8 PM High Country Pet Fest Vendors 7/22/2016 4 pm Join Chester, the mini-horse, for a reading of his story, sing-a-long & book signing 5 PM Concert by Whip Daddys w/ Mad Dog 7/23/2016 8 AM - ?? Southeast Disc Dogs Competition 10 AM- 5 PM High Country Pet Fest Vendors 10:30 AM 11:00 AM Join Chester, the mini-horse, for a reading of his story, sing-a-long & book signing 11:30 AM Avery County K-9 Unit Demonstration 12:00 PM 12:30 PM Dog Show 1:00 PM Dog Show 2:00 PM Avery County K-9 Unit Demonstration 3:00 PM Blessing of the Animals Pastor Dan Brubaker