Animania fair to include pet-owner look-alike contest

Those with an uncanny resemblance to their pet might want to enter the county's first Animania Pet Fair's look-alike contest.

To enter the contest, submit a photo by the Monday, Aug. 21 deadline. Entries, which will not be returned, should be mailed to Community and Leisure Services, Attention: Brooke Willis, 620 Ronald Reagan Drive, Evans, GA 30809.

Willis, Columbia County's community events specialist, said all contestant photos will be displayed at the Aug. 26 Animania Pet Fair, with the winning entrant notified by phone or e-mail before the event. A basket of pet-related supplies will be presented to the winner, who doesn't have to be present at the fair.

"As our county grows, so does our community events calendar," Willis said. "Our Community Events staff wanted to add an event to this year's calendar that is unlike any we have done before, appealing to all ages."

Because many dog owners like to include their pets in their weekend plans, the county decided to offer an entertaining and educational event where the dogs were welcome participants.

"We will kick off Animania with the 'Mutt Strut' dog parade at 10 a.m. under a tent, surrounded by pet-related vendors, children's games and a children's craft activity," Willis said.

The pet fair, which is being sponsored by PetSmart, Columbia County Community Events and The Columbia County News-Times, will be held in the Columbia County Memorial Garden and Amphitheater, adjacent to the Columbia County Library on North Belair Road. Other activities include dog-training demonstrations by Jae-Mar-S, The Wonderdog Limited and Quality K-9 Concepts.

"In order to keep the dogs and patrons as cool as possible, we will have doggie pools to splash around in, tents for shade, fans and plenty of drinking water," Willis said.

"Although we are only allowing dogs at the pet fair, owners of other animals can talk to animal experts, shop among the vendor booths and enter the pet/owner look-alike contest," Willis added.