If you love animals, the third annual Leader Pet Expo is the place to be from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 7, at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds, 10349 Business 21, in Hillsboro.
“The Pet Expo has proven a very popular event in its first two years,” Leader editor Peggy Bess said. “It is jam-packed with family activities and really is a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. We welcome the community to come join the fun.”
Admission for the expo is $1 for humans, who are encouraged to bring their friendly pets. The admission fee will be donated to the Hillsboro Community Civic Club, which oversees operations at the fairgrounds.
The expo will be chock-full of entertainment, including a high-flying dog show; Serengeti Steve’s comedic and educational Reptile Experience; a Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office K-9 demonstration; a duck-herding presentation; the Animals R Us petting zoo; and The Horse Experience and pony rides provided by the Jefferson County 4-H Dream Catchers Club. The club will charge $5 for pony rides.
In addition, a number of vendors who offer services and products for pets will be on hand. Vendor booths are still available.
Applause Productions DJ and Video will provide sound at the event, and a variety of foods, beverages and snacks will be available for purchase.
Pets will not be allowed inside the Civic Club building or near the Arnimals R Us petting zoo, but they are welcome on the rest of the grounds. However, pets need to be on a non-retractable leash or in a secure carrier, and their human companions must clean up after them. Water stations and cleanup supplies will be provided at the expo.
The Leader Publications Pet Expo Calendar, which is filled with photos of local pets, will be on sale for $5 each. Proceeds from the calendar sales will benefit Jefferson County Animal Control, which is working to relocate its shelter from its current location at 7105 Shelter Road in Barnhart to the old Hillside Presbyterian Church, 4848 Hwy. 30, in Scotsdale, which the county recently bought.
Animal Control representatives will be at the expo to provide information about their department and the relocation project. In addition, they may bring some animals with them.
Some of the vendors slated to be at the expo include High Ridge Farm & Home Supply, Buchheit of House Springs, Champions Mercantile of Festus, Circle of Life Animal Hospital of Festus, Anheuser Animal Clinic of Bloomsdale, Ivan Animal Hospital of House Springs, High Ridge Animal Hospital, De Soto Veterinary Hospital, Romaine Creek Veterinary Center of Fenton, which is supplying bags for the cleanup stations and Pawjama Party Kennel of Pevely.
Circle of Life Animal Hospital will hold a rabies clinic, offering pet vaccinations, from noon to 2 p.m., and De Soto Veterinary Hospital will offer one from 2-4 p.m.
In addition, there will be representatives from Celebrations Unlimited in Festus selling balloons and stuffed animals to benefit the Beagle Freedom Project, which works to rescue beagles from animal testing labs, a Paparazzi Accessories representative from Festus selling jewelry, as well as booth for Waterfalls Unlimited in Hannibal.
C&C Fair Weather Foods of De Soto will sell hamburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst, bloomin’ onions, French fries, nachos and other concessions, and Tropical Treats will sell snow cones, popcorn and kettle corn. Boy Scouts will sell soda, water and beef sticks.
The expo is sponsored by Leader Publications and the Hillsboro Community Civic Club.
For information about the Pet Expo or to reserve a booth, call the Leader at 636-931-7560.