May is National Pet Month and the May Day festivities are an appropriate kick off to the month promoting the walkable and dog friendly community for which Downtown Rogers is known. First United Methodist Church is hosting a community wide celebration to include: a ribbon cutting for the new Little Free Pet Pantry, a blessing of the pets, and a Humane Society of Animals pop-up adoption center. The activities begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 1, in the 1st UMC park at the corner of 4th and Elm in Downtown Rogers.
What began as a Girl Scout Bronze Award Project for two Troop 5349 members, has bloomed into a community wide celebration that brings pet owners and First United Methodist Church members together. Scouts Clara D. and Stella K. designed, built, and installed a Little Free Pet Pantry to accompany the Little Free Pantry and Little Free Library located at 4th and Elm in the First United Methodist Church Park. Their goal was to help families provide food and other necessities for their pets when the need is great. The girls also want to allow community members to support those who love and care for dogs and cats by making donations to the new pet pantry.
Following the ribbon cutting, First United Methodist Church will offer a blessing of pets and the community is invited to bring their animals on a leash or in a pet carrier.
"Our pets bring so much love and joy into our daily lives,” commented Reverend James Kjorlaug, pastor of First UMC. “To share in a time of blessing them gives us a great opportunity to celebrate and thank our animals for all they add to our lives!"
The event is free and donations to any of the three little free pantries on site are invited (pet food, people food and books for the library). Also planned is a pop-up adoption pet adoption booth by Humane Society for Animals, Inc.
Additional Activities to Celebrate Dog Friendly Rogers Include:
Thursday, May 12-4:30 – 7:30 p.m. The May Art on the Bricks Art Walk theme is “Barks on the Bricks.” Pet-lovers are invited to bring their fur babies and meet the pet portrait artists and photographers, visual artists, plus pop-up booths by non-profit organizations and businesses that serve the animal community. Dancers from Ballet Westside will be putting their best foot forward with a dance performance at 5:30 p.m. in the turntable Plaza at Railyard Park, and pet related vendor tents will be set up along N 2nd Street and in Railyard Park. Following the humane ballet performance will be a dance with your doggies opportunity.
Pet Painting Workshop with Amy Eichler-Beginning and experienced artists may participate in a pet painting workshop with Rogers Artist Amy Eichler.
Location: Brick & Mortar, 120 W Walnut Street, Rogers, Thursday, May 12, 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
https://www.facebook.com/events/337288535091247
Artist and Author Joy Noir presents ‘A Fairy-tail Deconstructed’, Exhibition & Experiential Art, featuring her book Three-Legged Dog and a Chick.
Location: Into+View Art Gallery and Studio, 300 N 2nd Street, Rogers. Thursday, May 12, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. https://www.facebook.com/events/510436494142663
Deborah Billingsley Photography Pet Photo Booth, Rogers Experimental House, 121 W Walnut Street, Rogers, Thursday, May 12, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Art on the Bricks Art Walk Pop-Up Pet Business and Nonprofit Vendors in Railyard Park and N. 2nd Street with artist exhibitions throughout Downtown Rogers Thursday, May 12, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Art on the Bricks Art Walk Participants: A full list of participating businesses and artists scheduled for Thursday, May 12, 4:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. may be found at www.artonthebricks.com.
Wednesday, May 4, 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Open Water Swims- Beaver Lake Highway 12 Boat Ramp https://www.facebook.com/events/1218726448661809/1218727131995074
Fayetteville-based travel blogger and person/pet trainer, Denise Holmes, will be attending several Downtown Rogers businesses and adding photos and stories to her social media sites and blog during the month of May.
https://www.instagram.com/mytraveltails/
https://www.facebook.com/TravelTails
