7th annual Dog Day to be held Saturday

The seventh annual Dog Day of Summer is scheduled for 9:30 to 11 a.m. this Saturday at the Farmers Market in Downtown Siloam Springs.

At the event there will be contests for dogs, a doggie promenade and a free hot dog lunch. The contest registration starts at the beginning of the event and cost for registration is $10. There will also be a doggie swag bag for the first 50 dogs that enter, according to a press release from Main Street Siloam Springs. The contests include cutest puppy, best trick, best costume, a treat eating contest and more.

"This is a really fun event that we do to promote downtown as a gathering place," said Meredith Bergstrom, executive director of Main Street Siloam Springs (MSSS). "We specifically invite people with pets to come down and enjoy the day. So this year we are actually going to be in partnership with the Farmers Market because that is another event that Main Street hosts, so we thought it would be fun to do those together in the same space."

The event will also have dog-themed vendors selling their wares.

"Most of the stores downtown will be open and they will probably have watering stations in front of them so they will be welcoming the furry friends," said Lauren Huffman, MSSS director of downtown development and promotion.

"Every event that we do has a retail focus in some way, shape or form because part of our goal at Main Street Siloam Springs is to promote downtown so we want people to enjoy being downtown, and also to enjoy getting to see what retailers have available," Bergstrom said.

All dogs are required to be on a six-foot or shorter leash. An adult, 18 years or older, must be in control of the dog at all times. Sponsors for the event include Simmons Foods and the "Big Dog Sponsor" Arvest Bank. For more information call MSSS at 479-524-4556.