Help Pets in Need at the Annual Paws in the Park at Summit Park

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Photo: facebook.com/unitedpetfund

Paws in the Park will be held at Summit Park Saturday, Sept. 23.

Tails will wag at Blue Ash's Summit Park this Saturday at the return of United Pet Fund’s (UPF) annual Paws in the Park.

Paws in the Park is a dog-focused event that helps support UPF, a local nonprofit that provides resources to underserved and independent animal care groups and advocates. UPF has helped over 30,000 animals since it was founded.

Around 4,000 people are expected to attend Paws in the Park, organizers say. Both dogs and people can check out the market filled with both pet and non-pet items, enjoy pup-centered activities like a dog photo booth, fill up at the food trucks and take part in fall activities. Dogs can also participate in activities like lure chasing, Frisbee demos and agility courses.

The Summit Hotel in Madisonville is once again partnering with UPF to sponsor Paws in the Park.

“United Pet Fund is a cause that has been important to The Summit since we opened over five years ago,” The Summit Hotel general manager Denise Bayless said in a press release. “Pets make an undeniable impact on the people and communities who love them. We are proud to once again sponsor Paws in the Park and support UPF’s mission to distribute resources and pet supplies to shelters and rescues.”

The hotel says anyone who has entered The Summit has likely seen a golden dog statue made in honor of Maxwell, a golden retriever owned by a family with close ties to The Summit’s owner.

“He adored running errands, riding in convertibles and generally loved everyone around him. When Maxwell succumbed to cancer, his family made a generous donation to UPF in his honor. At that time, UPF was still a small charity, and this donation allowed the team to secure and stock their warehouse distribution center,” the hotel said in the release.

Since then, The Summit Hotel says it has continued to support UPF, and when guests purchase a mini Maxwell sculpture in the hotel's shop, a portion of the proceeds are donated to UPF and matched by an anonymous donor.

Paws in the Park is happening Saturday, Sept. 23 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Summit Park, 4335 Glendale Milford Road, BlueAsh. More info: unitedpetfund.org.