With key points at stake, Dog Daze IV returns to Village Green SC Aug. 14-16

More important than ever in terms of giving top Dock Dog jumpers from around the nation a venue to score valuable points toward reaching the World Championships, DOG DAZE IV @ Village Green Shopping Center, presented by TDS Telecom, once again returns to Farragut “as a three-day festival of fun, food, shopping and competition,” stated a press release from Stephen Krempasky, executive director of Shop Farragut/Farragut Business Alliance.

The Alliance is teaming up with Town of Farragut, Smoky Mountain Dock Dogs and Ricki’s Pet Depot to bring this nationally sanctioned regional canine aquatics competition, Dock Dogs International, to Town Friday Aug. 14, through Sunday, Aug. 16.

While more than 150 competitors expected from a talented national field of dogs, festivities will begin in Village Green Shopping Center parking lot at 4 p.m., Aug. 14, with local dogs taking a “Pooch Plunge.” Area dog owners will have the opportunity to bring their pet to try a dock dive free of charge. K9 Center of East Tennessee has underwritten Pooch Plunge, which runs through 7 p.m.

Competitions run from 9 a.m. to past 5 p.m., Aug. 15, with final rounds from 9 a.m. through Big Air Finals at 5 p.m., Aug. 16.

“Since the onset of the COVID(-19) virus, many of our Dock Dogs competitions have been cancelled. So, we are excited to host this event, which has just been awarded ‘wildcard’ status,” SMDD president Kaye Noble stated.

“As a wildcard, competitors will receive bonus points and the opportunity to go to the world championships in October. We expect teams from across the country to compete for those valuable points,” she added.

“This event is one of the last national events in the southeast, so it has become very popular with the competitors,” Krempasky stated. “Smoky Mountain DockDogs will also conduct a silent auction, which will benefit the B.A.A.R.K. foundation. B.A.A.R.K. is an organization that helps the DockDogs community in their time of need.”