Those who love animals will want to come out for the first-ever Leader Pet Expo, slated for noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 10349 Business 21, in Hillsboro.
The Expo will be jam-packed with entertainment, including performing dogs, a snake and reptile display, a birds of prey show and a horse demonstration.
Vendors will be on hand all day to display products and share information about the services they provide for pets and their owners, and booth spaces are still available for $75.
“It’s a great way for vendors to see their customers face to face,” Leader publisher Pam LaPlant said. “Whether it’s on two legs or four, you can have a lot of traffic going by your spot and seeing what you have to offer. Even if your business is not pet-oriented, it will be a fun day and a great way to get your name out there.”
The Expo is sponsored by Leader Publications and the Hillsboro Community Civic Club.
To reserve a booth, call the Leader office at 636-931-7560.
Admission to the event is $1 and parking is free. The admission fee will be donated to the Hillsboro Community Civic Club. Pets on leashes, not long flex leads, or in carriers are welcome, and pet owners are asked to clean up after them. Cleanup stations for pets and their owners will be provided.
A food vendor will be on hand all day selling hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, nachos, funnel cakes and other tasty treats. The Civic Club will sell refreshments.
A calendar will be sold for $10 featuring winning photos from the Leader’s recent pet photo contest. Proceeds from the calendars will benefit the Jefferson County 4-H organization.
Expo schedule:
■ Noon to 4 p.m. – The Dreamcatchers 4-H group from Jefferson County will have horses on display, including a couple of miniature horses.
■ Noon to 12:30 p.m. – Representatives from Wil-Nor Outdoors will offer demonstrations with hunting dogs
■ Noon to 2 p.m. – Circle of Life Animal Hospital will hold a rabies clinic. Immunizations against rabies and distemper, as well as heartworm testing, will be available.
■ 12:30-1 p.m. – Canines in the Clouds, a canine rescue group, will present the first of two high-energy demonstrations of dog obedience and tricks.
■ 12:30-1:30 p.m. – Serengeti Steve will be on hand, giving Expo visitors hands-on interaction with a variety of snakes, reptiles and other critters.
■ 1-1:30 p.m. – Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office representatives, both human and K-9, will put on a demonstration.
■ 1:30-2 p.m. – The St. Louis Herding Club will present a dog-herding demonstration
■ 1:30-2:30 p.m. – World Bird Sanctuary staff members will showcase birds of prey.
■ 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – De Soto Veterinary Hospital will hold a rabies clinic. Immunizations against rabies and distemper, as well as heartworm testing, will be available.
■ 2:30-3 p.m. – A Jefferson County 4-H horse club will give demonstrations with horses.
■ 2:30-3:30 – Volunteers from Support Dogs will put on a Paws for Reading program, allowing children to read to a dog.
■ 3-3:30 p.m. – Canines in the Clouds presents a second demonstration.