Disc Dog Days, Art 4 Paws return May 26-27

MADISON – Memorial Day Weekend promises entertaining free events for Tennessee Valley residents with the fourth annual Madison Disc Dog Days and Art 4 Paws Festival.

Madison Parks and Recreation Department will host the events at Dublin Park, Field no. 1.

Art 4 Paws on May 26 will run from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. “Please come join us for the dog show, arts and crafts, along with vendor shopping,” City Event and Volunteer Coordinator Gayle Milam said.

Local and regional artists will sell unique creations and merchandise. Visitors will find whimsical garden art, jewelry, paintings and fun pet novelties. Madison Arts Council sponsors Art 4 Paws. (artsmadison.org)

For more information about Art 4 Paws, email gayle.milam@madisonal.gov.

Also on May 26, Disc Dog Days will open with a Skyhoundz Classic World Championship Qualifier, featuring exciting Disc Dog exhibitions and competitions with world-championship winning dogs and their handlers. This day’s competition will feature both sport and open divisions (including ‘microdog’ and youth divisions) with freestyle and toss-and-fetch formats.

“Disc Dog Days is continuing to draw more and more people. Admission is free, so the price is right,” coordinator Bill Coirier said. “We expect a big turnout this year. All proceeds go to Madison Animal Rescue Foundation or MARF.”

On the evening of May 26, organizers will host a barbeque dinner at Dublin Park. “Join us for dinner. We’ll make a trip to the local store and get all sorts of good stuff to eat and drink after a day of disc dogging,” Coirier said.

On May 27, a fun-filled Sunday will include a Skyhoundz Discdogathon, featuring five events — Spot Landing, Bullseye, Freestyle, Time Trial and Distance/Accuracy. “Come and see world-championship level disc dogs compete in this high-flying, family-friendly, action-filled weekend at Dublin,” Coirier said.

Coirier encourages novice and first-time players to participate.

For more information about disc dog completion, call Rick Nielsen at 706-973-7734, email nielsenfm@yahoo.com or visit skyhoundz.com. For general information, call Coirier 256-694-0741 or email william.coirier@knology.net.

For registration information, email nielsenfm@yahoo.com or visit dahlonegaactiondogs.com/events.