If there was ever any debate that Providence loves dogs, the perfectly timed sunshine that greeted the Huckleberries and Hounds Festival cleared that up.
The inaugural festival Saturday managed to celebrate with gusto two highly incongruous if harmonious local treats, all in an effort to raise funds for Fort Bragg”s second off leash dog area.
After a heavy downpour that started at dawn, the sun came out as if on cue so Mendocino Coast pooches could meet and play games at the future home of the Fort Bragg off-leash dog park next to the Aquatic Center. Dogs and their companions competed to be best tail wagger, singer, and kisser. They also competed in team contests, and bobbed for rubber duckies between events.
“The highlight of the day was an agility demonstration by Becky Stenberg and two of her students, and their dogs,” said Johanna Jensen, a co-founder of the Mendocino Coast Dog Owners Group (MCDOG), which sponsored the event.
“Becky finished by offering private lessons immediately after the agility exhibition, donating her fee to MCDOG.”
Organizers requested a $5 donation to participate in events, but virtually everyone put extra money in the collection to show their support for the dog park, Jensen said.
The Huckleberries and Hounds festival attracted local dog-lovers, as well as visitors from outside the area. Ted Barrett of Stockton said he read about the Huckleberries and Hounds Festival when he was here visiting just last week, and decided to come back because the “Hound” events sounded like so much fun, Jensen said. Barrett, his companion and their dogs Mitzie and Tristan joined in the games at the park and won prizes in the parade later that afternoon.
Friday kicked off the festival with private readings from animal communicator Carol Becker. Her sessions quickly sold out and hours were extended so sessions could be added, Jensen said. Extra readings were scheduled on Saturday to accommodate the demand.
Festival-goers spent up to 20 minutes with Becker learning about their special pet — deceased, present or at-home animals. Pet lovers met Becker at PAWs on Main Street in Fort Bragg, where some sat quietly asking questions, while others brought their animal for a hands-on reading, Jensen said. Becker offered the readings at a reduced rate and donated a portion of the proceeds to MCDOG for the dog park.
The Boo-tiful Pet Halloween Costume Parade was held on the grounds of Fort Bragg”s Guest House Museum Saturday afternoon. Stockton”s Tristan, wearing a pirate costume, was not the only out-of-towner to win a prize: Vala, an Italian greyhound/Chinese crested cross and companion of Joe Wiedman, San Francisco, walked away with the prize for the prettiest dog. But top honors went to local pitbulls Daisy, companion of Monica ManKinen, and Paco, Caitlan Fanning”s, both dressed in angel wings.
For the Huckleberries part of the fun, organizer Bruce Lewis presided over a table full of treats ranging from huckleberry cobbler to crisp lemon bars. Winners of the best huckleberry dessert contest were:
1st Place — $100 to Beth Chamberlain for her huckleberry-Meyer lemon bars.
2nd Place — $50 to Heather Orsi for her Huckleberry Cake with whipped cream.
3rd Place — tie between pies made by Karen Emerson and Mark Cirino.
The huckleberry treat judges were Mike Gibson, Brad Gardner and Sean Hogan.
MCDOG thanked the Fort Bragg Promotion Committee and Mendocino Coast Recreation and Park District for sponsoring the event, and PAWS, Fort Bragg Feed and Pet and other local businesses for donating prizes and materials. They also sent a big thanks to the volunteers who organized and worked the events. Donations for the dog park can be sent to MCRPD, P.O. Box 2387, Fort Bragg, CA 95437.
