The Downtown Committee, part of the Taft Chamber of Commerce, is presenting Love Your Pet Day on Center Steet in Taft, on Saturday, October 28, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. The activity is designed to celebrate pets and to inform pet owners about new products for pets that are available locally.
“This pet day also is for community members to take time to enjoy their pet friends,” said Jon Atherly, of Westside Furniture and one of the organizers of the day. “We will have a photo booth for pets and their owners to have their pictures taken, and there will be pet “trick or treat” activity for pets (on leashes) and their owners, provided by designated “pet-friendly” businesses on Center Street. Fifth Street Plaza will host a raffle and a drawing, vendor booths with pet products available for purchase, and a bounce house for the kids. Kern County Animal Shelter also will bring pets available for adoption. Our own, local pet rescue folks, Unity Thrift Rescue, will be on hand to answer questions about pet safety and welfare.
“The atmosphere of Center Street already is amping up for the celebration on the 28th,” said Kathy Orrin, Chamber Executive Director. “Students from Taft High have painted windows on Center Street to prepare for a festive Fall backdrop to the day.”
Visitors will be able to select the “People’s Choice” for the best window painting on Center Street—which reminds many of the good ol’ days when high school students painted most of the windows on Center in a Halloween theme.
Prize tickets will be available for purchase at the Fifth Street Plaza and raffle tickets will be given out at the Trick or Treat businesses. The Fox Theater will be open to serve popcorn, hot dogs, candy, and sodas, and the Lion’s Club will be setting up their food truck to serve participants on the north side of Fifth and Center.
“We have business participation from Second Street on the east end of Center to Seventh on the west end, and there will be something for everyone on this first Love Your Pet Day,” said Atherly. “And, by the way, all pets are welcome!”
