Pet Expo to be held this weekend

BROOKSVILLE - The Humane Society of the Nature Coast will present their sixth annual Nature Coast Pet Expo from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 13-14 at Tom Varn Park, 306 Darby Lane, Brooksville.

Admission is $5 for adults, children 12 and under are free and leashed pets are welcome.

New this year to the Expo will be a Blessing of the Animals conducted at 10 a.m. on Saturday at the park.

The expo will feature vendors, food, music and games - Maddmac Lure Course will be set up for fun for a nominal fee, photographers and groomers will be there.

There will be several contests, a costume contest and a pet-owner look-a-like contest and a best kisser contest - pets only. There will be obedience demonstrations, pet safety, child safety demonstrations and pet health issues discussed during the event.

A regular feature of the event is Adoption Alley. Pet rescue groups will be on hand to talk about their adoptable pets and some groups will have adoptable pets on site.

Annual calendar photo competition

Entrants to the Humane Society of the Nature Coast Calendar contest will be judged at the expo and 25 winners will be chosen for the 2011 Open Hearts Pet Calendar.

Entry is $10 per photo.

Photos can be dropped off at the shelter or e-mail them. For directions, visit www.humanerescue.org. Provide only copies to the contest, they will not be returned. Winners will be announced on March 14.

It is recommended you enter your photos before March 12. While photos can be entered at the Pet Expo, it could be a disadvantage in the voting process. Voting for best photo is $1 each, your votes will choose the photos that will go in the calendar and there is no limit on how many times you can vote.

For more information on the Pet Expo, call the Humane Society at 352-796-2711.