The Downtown Business Committee of the Taft District Chamber of Commerce and Visitors’ Bureau presented what will be known as the first annual Love Your Pet Day, on Saturday, October 28, from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. An estimated 250 pet lovers, with their pets in tow, descended upon Center Street to enjoy Trick or Treating at 21 designated, pet-welcoming businesses. They also made their way to Fifth Street Plaza to take part in Pictures with Your Pet, made possible by Mallory of Stay Golden Rents, free dog treats and nutritious meal offerings from True Value, dog and cat accessories from Haileah Taylor, and State Farm-provided collapsible water bowls and other helpful accessories for traveling dog owners. Children were able to enjoy the bounce house provided by Memo Jumpers, and wonderful tri-tip sandwiches, courtesy of the Lion’s Club of Taft, were available for purchase to all during the event.
Kern County Animal Control came with eight adoptable dogs—all of which were spayed/neutered, chipped, and up-to-date with their shots. Four lucky families came away with beautiful, healthy pets. Val from Taft Animal Control also was available to show pictures of adoptable pets already here in our community.
The star of the Pet Costume competition was Wendy Berry’s ECHO, dressed as an 80’s Disco Dancer—as much as a black lab can look like a disco dancer!
Window painting was featured on seven businesses on Center Street, and the artists were local Taft High School art students from Mrs. Davis’s classes. The Fox Theater, Westside Furniture, 714 Center Street Beauty Salon, R&S Furniture, Messenger Automotive, Old’s Cool, and Black Gold offered their windows to the students to capture their renditions of Halloween. Trick or Treaters were given ballots to pick their favorite
. All the student artists will receive gift certificates for art supplies, with the winner, Adalyn Evertse, receiving the coveted $50 gift certificate. Adalyn’s art was displayed on the window of the Fox Theater.
“On behalf of the Chamber Board, I would like to thank Jon Atherly of Westside Furniture for his leadership and hard work on this event,” commented Kathy Orrin, Chamber Executive Director. “He was aptly assisted by Julie Franks of State Farm, Amy Steers of Fertile Earth, and Renee Adamo of the West Side Park and Recreation District.”
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