Food, music, parades, dancing, and good times are planned

Once a year on the Saturday after July 4, an annual event is held where everyone comes to Saluda to celebrate Coon Dog Day. It has been said that this is a day for dogs and their people. But, what this annual event really has become is a day for “coming home.”

For 53 years, this homecoming tradition brings back those who have once lived here and have moved away, descendants from generations of summer folks, day trippers who use this day as a reason to visit again, and of course, Saludians who plan and prepare for this annual tradition by inviting friends and family to come visit.

Just like any homecoming, there will be food, music, parades, dancing, and good times. Folks will share memories of past Coon Dog Days, joke about who was in the parade, talk about why there isn’t a barrel roll by the fire department anymore, complain about parking, rush into the restaurants to eat and cool off, and make a obligatory visit to watch the coon dog showings which will be at the McCreery Park Pavilion this year. Then, they will come back for square dancing on Main Street in the evening.

Coon Dog Day 5K Race/Fun Walk

The fun starts at 8 a.m. July 9 with the Coon Dog Day 5K Race/Fun Walk, which begins and ends downtown. Medals and grand prize awards will be presented immediately following the race at the City Information Tent in front of City Hall. You may register for the Race at imATHLETE.com or get the registration form from the city’s website, cityofsaludanc.com.

On Main Stage 

There will be great entertainment all day from the Main Stage hosted by Jammin JP, Johnny Perez! Bands include Colt Creek, Center Stage Band and playing for the Street Dance, which begins at 7 p.m. will be Project-X. We are happy to welcome Miss United States 2015, Summer Priester, to the Main Stage also. The Mountain Shag Club from Asheville will be performing and, hopefully, giving lessons!

Parade

The parade begins at 11 a.m. sharp this year!

Coon Dog Show

Coon Dog Day features an AKC licensed show and a special youth show open to all coonhounds. They will be held in the Pavilion in McCreery Park this year beginning at 2:30 p.m. Bench Show entry is $20 and Youth Bench Show Entry is $10. Treeing contest to follow show.

Parking 

The City of Saluda will not offer any designated parking for businesses, citizens, or visitors on Coon Dog Day as it has in the past. The city’s West Parking Lot will be reserved for vendors. Nor will the city offer any type of trolley service to the festival attendees. There will be free parking in the Saluda School parking lot (where buses park) off of Seminary Street and in the Episcopal Church parking lot off of Charles Street. The First Baptist Church parking lot will be designated for handicap parking. Also, there will be paid parking by the Saluda Fire Department on Greenville Street and by the City at the Saluda School on Hwy 176 (Main Street).

Saluda’s Main Street will be closed to all traffic from midnight on Friday, July 8, until midnight on Saturday, July 9, 2016. Henderson Street and Seminary Street onto Ozone Drive will be used for parade line-up.

Veterans invited

Saluda veterans of all wars are invited to be the Grand Marshall(s) of this year’s Coon Dog Day. Veterans who are interested are asked to contact Leon Morgan at MA Pace’s Store 828-749-2401 or City Hall at 828-749-2581.

Volunteers  

If you would like to volunteer to help out on Coon Dog Day, please contact Tangie Morgan at 828-777-9158 or email at ctangie@rsnet.org.

Donations 

Since all money left over after expenses are paid is being donated to the building of public restrooms in Pace Park, your donations are greatly needed and will be much appreciated! Donations should be sent to City of Saluda, P.O. Box 248, Saluda NC 28773. Checks should be made payable to City of Saluda designated for Coon Dog Day.

-article submitted
by Cathy Jackson