Whitehall Township revives Doggy Days with agility demos, dog parade

Paws in the Parkway is built for dogs that need more than a walk around the block. Whitehall Area Rotary Club is reviving Doggy Days, the community event that ended during Covid, and the May 9 gathering at Whitehall Parkway centers on motion, training, and packed-in activity rather than a passive pet fair.

The biggest draw for high-drive dogs is the lineup of agility and K-9 demonstrations, which will run at the top of each hour beginning at 11 a.m. and continue through the afternoon. Those demos put speed, obedience, and confidence on display in a structured setting, giving owners a live look at the kind of work that keeps energetic dogs engaged. Alongside that are vendors, rescue groups, food and refreshments, a dog parade, and family fun, all of which give the day a festival feel without losing the working-dog focus.

The event also broadens out beyond sport-minded handlers. Whitehall Township Public Library will be on site reading pet stories, and a best-costume contest is set for 2:30 p.m. That mix turns Whitehall Parkway into a community gathering point for families, kids, rescue supporters, and anyone who wants to watch dogs do more than circulate a park in circles.

There is structure to the invitation, too. Well-mannered dogs on leashes are welcome, but attendees must sign a waiver. Whitehall Township event materials say registration is available for vendors, rescues, and food trucks, while township parks listings place Paws in the Parkway among other May 9 activities at Whitehall Parkway, showing the park as a recurring venue for local programming. The Rotary says proceeds will benefit local animal shelters through the Whitehall Area Rotary Foundation, which is listed as a 501(c)(3) organization with EIN 85-1601866.

For details, Tracy Bozik can be reached at 610-769-9198 or tbozik@fellowshipcommunity.com. With hourly demos, a parade, and shelter support built in, Whitehall’s revived dog day is more than a neighborhood festival. It is a visible outlet for dogs that want to move, work, and stay busy.