Big pet expo, horse hoedown and a dog cruise

Summer is here and so are some hot pet events. This month, there's a fashion show and pie-eating contest at Poochapalooza, a huge gathering of adoptable animals plus pet products at America's Family Pet Expo, and a chance to see chickens, goats and sheep on Seattle Tilth's Chicken Coop and Urban Farm Tour. If you like to dance, do-si-do over to the Two Stepping for Hope event benefiting horses.

America's Family Pet Expo: 10 a.m.-6p.m., Friday, July 8, 10 a.m.-7 p.m., Saturday, July 9, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday, July 10, Puyallup Fair and Events Center. Billed as the world's largest pet and pet-product show, this event showcases cats, birds, dogs and "creepy crawlers." The three-day expo includes adoptable pets, stage shows, dock-diving dogs and the chance to interact with a wide range of animals. $12/general, $10/seniors and $6/children 6-12. Younger kids get in free. Active military with ID also get in free. There's a $2 discount off general-admission tickets purchased online. Leave your pet at home.

Poochapalooza: 10 a.m.-3:30p.m., Saturday, July 9, Strawberry Fields Athletic Complex, Marysville. This year's event includes a pie-eating contest for dogs and Fashions & Rescues Runway Show featuring adoptable dogs modeling designer outfits from Amore Grace, Dmarie's Doggie Boutique and others. There also will be dog-sport demonstrations, dancing dogs, a kissing booth, pet contests, vendors and food. $5 suggested donation gets a goodie bag for the first 400 visitors. This event is a fundraiser for M-Dog (Marysville Dog Owners Group), the volunteer organization that maintains Strawberry Fields for Rover Off-Leash Park.

Two Stepping for Hope: Saturday, July 9, Carnation. Slip on your dancing boots for a Texas-style hoedown featuring a live band and food. The event is a fundraiser for Hope for Horses, an organization dedicated to the responsible care and training of equines. Space is limited. $50.

Seattle Tilth's Chicken Coop and Urban Farm Tour: 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Saturday, July 9. A self-guided tour of 50 unique sites featuring mini dairy goats, ducks, honey bees, sheep and a cow. There's also a chicken coop expo at one site. $12. Ticket and tour details on the event website.

Mill Creek Festival: 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, July 16, and Sunday, July 17, Mill Creek Town Center. This free community festival includes a pet plaza with canine sports, working-dog demonstrations, booths and contests for you and your pooch.


Wiener Dog Rally: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Thursday, July 21, Fisher Plaza, Seattle. Got a fast dachshund? Enter that hot dog in the qualifying heats for Star 101.5's Wiener Dog Races. Dachshunds must be registered by 11:30 a.m. Thursday to compete for a spot in the big race on Saturday, July 23, at Emerald Downs.

Sandsations' Sand Flea Pet Parade: Saturday, July 23, Long Beach. OK, Sandsations is really a sand-sculpture event for people. However, if you and your pooch are on the beach on Saturday, check out the Sand Flea Pet Parade. This very informal pet event organized by South Pacific County Humane Society is free but donations are welcome. Pets must be on leash.