YOUNGSTOWN — Furry friends will take over Wean Park for the Paw-Lapalooza noon to 3 p.m. Saturday.

The inaugural “dog show” put on by the Junior League of the Mahoning Valley is “for the average dog,” said event chair Theresa Dellick.

She said the event is geared toward families — even families of one human and one dog.

“I think dogs become your family,” said Dellick, who doesn’t have a dog right now, but has had dogs in the past and is fond of the animals.

The afternoon of pet-friendly fun is free for humans and open to everyone, even those who don’t have dogs. Owners can register their canine companions for contests at $10 per dog. Categories include a human-pet lookalike, best talent, best pet name, judge’s choice, obstacle course, friendliest disabled pup, smiling mutt and best costume paw-ticipant. Registration allows dogs to participate in any or all of the categories.

Dogs will compete in the toy / small, medium or large division based on their height, and judges will award first, second and third places.

“We want to have fun with all the different kinds of dogs,” Dellick said.

Every doggie “paw-ticipant” will get a “doggie swag bag” with a bandana, collapsible water bowl and locally-made dog treats, among other items, Dellick said.

Up to 100 dogs can register for the event, and some already have registered online, Dellick said. All dogs must be on a leash and must have proof of rabies vaccination.

Paw-Lapalooza — a name that the Junior League trademarked — also will include vendors selling human food and pet items, a DJ, and a pet adoption organization.

Dellick said the Junior League came up with the idea for the event because it wanted to build a family event and noticed that there weren’t many pet-friendly activities happening in the area.

Junior League’s other upcoming events include Pink Ribbon Tea in October, which celebrates breast cancer survivors with a luncheon for around 500 women, and the Strong Girl Strong Woman programs for middle school girls in Trumbull and Mahoning counties.

The Junior League of the Mahoning Valley, originally called the Junior League of Youngstown, began in 1928, Dellick said. It is a group of women who support women, and are committed to service and building better communities.

Dellick is judge of the Mahoning County Juvenile Court.

If you go ..

WHAT: Paw-Lapalooza

WHEN: noon to 3 p.m. Saturday

WHERE: Covelli Centre – Wean Park, 229 E. Front St., Youngstown

HOW MUCH: Free for humans / $10 per dog to register for events

Paw-Lapalooza categories:

1. Human-Pet Lookalike

2. Best Talent

3. What’s in A Name?

4. Judge’s Choice

5. Obstacle Course

6. Friendliest Disabled Pup

7. Smiling Mutt

8. Best Costumed Paw-ticipant

Source: Junior League of the Mahoning Valley