Heading Out to Woofapalooza?

Woofapalooza at Siegel’s Cottonwood Farm will benefit animal rescue efforts in Channahon, Romeoville, Shorewood and Plainfield.

It may not be the dog days of summer yet, but dogs will have their best day of summer at the event from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the farm on Weber Road near Caton Farm Road.

Dozens of activities are planned, including rides for dogs and their best friends on the train, giant blowup slides, a T-ball baseball booth, a dog agility course and access to all play lands.

The admission fee of $10 includes entry fees to contests like best dressed dog, owner/dog look-alike, smallest/biggest dog, dog fashion show and bobbing for wieners.

Speaking of wieners, there will also be a dachshund race.

Demonstrations, informative talks, and pet portraits by the Fairy Dog Mother (additional price) are offered.

If it’s a hot day, don’t fret, there will be a dozen wading pools spread strategically around the farm for “skinny dipping” for the dogs.

Public Landing will offer its own version of yap d’oeuvres. Veterinarians, groomers, trainers and rescue groups will have booths. Narnia Pet Behavior and Training, PetSmart and PetCo are all involved.

There will also be music, food and beverages for sale.

You know for a fact that Frosty and I will be there. I’ll be armed with my camera and Frosty will be looking for some ice cream and a cool spot in the shade.

I’ve known the Siegel family for many years. Their farm, 102 years old, has been a commercial enterprise for a long time now, starting with road side vegetable stands and blossoming into Pumpkinfest and Statesville, one of the best haunted houses in the Chicagoland area.

“We know many dogs are just like family,” said Kaity Siegel, whom I first met when she won a statewide essay contest about dads for Father’s Day several years ago.

It’s all about fun!” added her perky mom Sue.

Paul Siegel can remember the day when the barn was the birthplace for the family dogs that did chores like herding cows home.

“They were always mutts and I think mutts are the best kind of loving and giving dogs. In later years, we didn’t need multiple dogs, but there has always been one dog here.”

Mugsy, their black Lab mix, is 16 now and he sees “how her life has changed.”  She is eager to be part of family activities but has to take it easy. The new pup on the farm is Diesel, a 2-year-old Rottweiler owned by son Zach.

“She’s an escape artist!” Zach says, so they have to be careful where they keep Diesel as they’re so close to a busy road.

He described one dust-up with the goats that she lost. He has a diesel truck and hence the cool name for his canine. He admits “She sleeps on my bed; even has her own pillow.”

There are rules for the day. Dogs must have up-to-date rabies tags and be on a non-retractable leash at all times. No outside food or beverages are allowed.

The charities picked to benefit from the day include Rosie the Bloodhound, the search and rescue dog for the Will County Forest Preserve District, and area humane societies, including the Will County Humane Society.

For more information, go to www.siegelscottonwoodfarm.com or call 815-741-2693.

Jan Larsen is a Joliet free-lance writer who works at Joliet Job Corps by day and roams with her stalwart husky Frosty by night. She can be reached at janettellarsen@aol.com