Homewood's Dog Days of Summer Turns Soggy

Saturday morning thunderstorms turned the  at into Soggy Doggy Days and caused the event to be called off about three hours earlier than planned.

“We were off to a great start, but the weather just kept getting worse,” said Rachael Jones, public relations and special events manager for Homewood.

The event opened at 9 a.m. with a live band and 27 vendors.

“People were coming, the music was kicking, vendors were chatting,” Jones said. 

However, sprinkles started shortly thereafter, and at around 10:30 the rain started coming down. By 11:40, when the Pooch Parade lineup began, it was a full-blown downpour, Jones said.

Despite that inclement weather, 22 dogs were there to strut their stuff in the Pooch Parade, which was held under the 40x60-foot tent area.

“Dog Days is geared toward dog lovers and dog lovers are used to being out in all kinds of weather,” Jones said.  But when lightning was sighted and Irwin Park turned swampy, it was time to shut down. Vendors were packing up by about noon, and the Chicago Boyz Acrobats never had the chance to perform their scheduled 1 p.m. show.

“We were up to our shins in water by the time we were tallying the winners of the Pooch Parade,” said Jones, adding that this was the first event she has had to call off since she started with the village in 2006.

“It was successful in that we had great vendors, the volunteers worked really hard and it was a nice community moment as we were all gathered under the big tent,” Jones said.

Winners of the Pooch Parade were chosen based on originality. They were:

Dog: Kobe and Lola
Costume:  Royal Wedding
Owner: Jennifer Jezler of Glenwood 

Dog: Shelby
Costume: Chef Bone R Dee
Owner: Jessica & Sue Scroppo of Homewood

Dog: Butkus
Costume: Pirate
Owner: Lane Sunley and Mike Noonan of Homewood

Dog: Kobe and Lola
Costume:  Royal Wedding
Owner:  Jennifer Jezler of Glenwood

Dog: Rocky
Costume: Picnic Table
Owner: Diane Ulrich of Homewood

Dog: Lily
Costume: Ant
Owner: Diane Ulrich of Homewood