More than 10,000 people filled Cook Park and a closed-off section of Church Street in Libertyville over the weekend for the annual Dog Days of Summer event hosted by the village and Knights of Columbus Council #3674.
An estimated 250 dogs were registered to attempt jumps into a pool holding 27,000 gallons of water.
Amateurs and professionals of the Dock Dogs National Canine Aquatic Competition went the distance to see which canines could make the longest jump.
“Dog Days is a great family event,” said Mike Lynn, Dog Days of Summer co-coordinator along with John DeReu. “It’s a place where you can bring your family and your dogs, and have a day out and make some splashes.”
Dozens of vendors offered pet goods for purchase, as well as giveaways. Food vendors were on-site, as were community booth holders, including pet rescue initiatives promoting responsible pet adoption and ownership.
There was an opening ceremony on Saturday, and Sunday featured a pet blessing and a pet parade.
Libertyville Mayor Donna Johnson said, “The Knights of Columbus, for the last 16 years, have done a great job in bringing forth Dog Days of Summer. Our furry friends are not only our best friends, they handle mental health, they’re company when we don’t have company, and we always want to acknowledge how much they contribute to our lives.
“Dog Days of Summer is a wonderful family event,” she added. “But more importantly, it acknowledges how great our furry friends are.”
The event’s fundraising goal was to net $11,000. Beneficiaries have included many Lake County recipients including a Waukegan soup kitchen and the St. Joseph Food Pantry at 112 N. Milwaukee Ave. in Libertyville.
“The reason we do this is for charity,” Lynn said. “The purpose of the event is to raise money.”
The Knights of Columbus supports St. Joseph Catholic Church of Libertyville. Approximately 1,700 families are served by the church’s St. Joseph Food Pantry each month.
On Saturday, spectators filled the sunny bleachers as other fans sought shade poolside with their pups.
Luna Lunardi, 2, of Libertyville, sat on the shoulders of her father Steven near Luna’s sister Collins Jo, 4, and the children’s mother Margaret. The Lunardi family does not have a dog, so coming to Dog Days of Summer is special, the girls’ parents agreed.
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“We love coming,” Margaret Lunardi said. “We love it,” her husband added.
Spectator Linda Fons of Libertyville brought her dog Hannah Rose, 5.
“I think it’s a great time,” Fons said. “I enjoy watching the dogs. I think it’s a good time to get people together.”
Bella Perkins of Libertyville brought pup Rio, 7, to compete.
“I just want to say thank you to Libertyville for supporting dog sports in general, and allowing this really great event for people to come and try,” Perkins said.
On the premises was “Dog Town,” where regular competitors shared open tents, meals and fellowship.
Dog Town is where Sue Sentowski of Chicago spent time with friends. Sentowski competed with her pup Duck, 4.
“I’ve been with this event since its inception,” Sentowski said. “It’s my favorite event. I come every year. It’s just the community here. All of our friends come. It’s a huge party, and that’s literally what we do.”
Returning to Dog Days of Summer was competitor Gene Yatchyshyn of Eagle River, Alaska, whose pup Ruger, 10, jumped.
“We just love the area,” said Yatchyshyn, who said he has come to the competition for eight years, “just to hang out with friends.”
“Dog Town’s awesome,” he said. “The people are great. Anybody that’s traveling, we have a spot for you. You’ll always be welcomed here.”