OCALA, FL (352today.com) – The 352’s annual cavalcade of pet-related fun, Ocala Pet Palooza, returns for a third year of tricks, tails, costumes and edutainment to the World Equestrian Center’s Expo Center 2 this weekend.
This year’s Pet Palooza, whose apt slogan is “Play. Shop. Learn. Adopt.,” runs Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 11 and 12, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., and both days are packed with a variety of events and opportunities, including races, pet blessings, a number of educational classes and seminars and, of course, daily Best Costume and Best Trick contests.
Here are just a few of the highlights
- Free microchipping and rabies shots from the SPCA of Ocala (Saturday, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.)
- Service dog training demos
- Service mini horse training demos
- Free nail trimming
- Try out the doggie treadmill courtesy of Run-N-Paw
- Adopt a pet from one of seven nonprofits
- Get up close with scaly scaries from Reptile Encounters
- Witness an Ocala Dog Ranch Dock Diving Tournament and even try it out with your pooch
You can view the whole schedule of events here.
Ocala Pet Palooza is also looking for volunteers 16 years of age and older, and in addition to probably spending a whole lot of quality time with some new furry friends this weekend, those who sign up will also receive four tickets to one of these other Ballantine Management events: Ocala Holiday Craft Show, Lakeland Holiday Craft Show, Ocala Boat Show, Ocala Spring Craft Fair, Ocala Christmas in July.
If you’re interested in volunteering you can register and select a shift here.
Tickets for both days of Ocala Pet Palooza are $8 in advance and $10 at the door, with members of the military and seniors 60 and over getting a one-dollar discount; Kids under 12 and under get in free, there’s no charge for parking, and the first 500 patrons through the door each day will receive a free tote bag, courtesy of JB Golf Carts. Advance tickets are available here.
The World Equestrian Center Expo Center 2 is located at 1598 NW 87th Court Road in Ocala, on the WEC campus.