Doggy Parade & Contest, Grand Prix set for this weekend

With one week of Traverse City's own equestrian festival behind us, don't miss this weekend's festivities and competition!

The highlight of the weekend will be Saturday's AC Paw Animal Rescue Doggy Costume Parade & Contest -- sure-fire family fun.  The event begins at 2pm (contestants who wish to participate should gather at 1:30 in the Special Events Tent). Contest Categories include: 

• Best Couple (owner & dog)

• Best Celebrity look-a-like

• Best Group (3 or more dogs)

• Best Dressed – rescue only

• Most Original

All proceeds from the $5 gate admission charge for the day will benefit the AC PAW Animal Rescue.

The event is being sponsored by Northern Michigan Veterinary Hospital in Acme. Prizes are being donated by D.O.G Bakery, Posh Pet Boutique and Gourmet K9.

And of course, there will be superb equestrian competition all weekend, with tens of thousands of dollars in prize money being awarded.

This weekend's schedule:

Friday
Open Jumper Welcome Prix, 3 pm
Saturday
AC Paw Animal Rescue Doggy Costume
Parade & Fundraiser, 2 pm
High Junior/Amateur Show Jumping Prix, 2:30 pm
Sunday
Show Hunter Classics, 10 am - 1 pm
Grand Traverse Bay Grand Prix, 2 pm

Admission to all events are $5 per person.

Horse Shows by the Bay is staged at Flintfields - an 80-acre show complex on Bates Road, a half mile north of M-72 in Acme Township.

Several Grand Traverse area businesses will also be on-site at Flintfields this weekend and throughout the Festival, including Garden Goods, Mabel’s, Red Ginger, Red Hare Tack & Togs, Posh Pet Boutique, Jane’s Horse & Home, Bad Pony Designs, and more. And, for all things equestrian, also on-site are Custom Fox Tack Shop, Ann K. Hubbard's Tack Shop and Sporthorse Saddlery.

So bring friends, bring a camera, bring a blanket and a picnic. It's Traverse City's own equestrian festival!

Horse Shows by the Bay features thousands of the nation’s best horses and riders competing in the International Olympic disciplines of show jumping and dressage. Festival dates are July 8 – August 2, 2009.  For more information please click here.