'Dog Days of Summer' come to downtown Adrian today for First Fridays – The Daily Telegram

ADRIAN — The unsung heroes of our homes, our dogs, will be celebrated during downtown Adrian’s August edition of First Fridays, scheduled from 5 to 8 p.m. today. First Fridays for today is themed “Dog Days of Summer.”
As Adrian “goes to the dogs,” corresponding events include a pet parade, group photos, contests and several chances to win prizes. While First Fridays events do not start until about 5:30 p.m., several downtown streets will close beginning at 2:30 p.m., the city of Adrian said in a news release. Streets are expected to reopen to motorists at approximately 11 p.m.
The following streets and parking lots are to be closed to the public:
The lineup for the pet parade and a group photo is at 5:30 p.m. behind The Wagley Group, 121 N. Main St., in the parking lot off North Winter Street. Registration to have a dog in the parade is not required and costumes are not required, either, although they are encouraged. The pet parade is expected to begin at 6 p.m. with Adrian College’s mascot, Bruiser, members of the college’s cheer team and Siena Heights University’s mascot, Halo, leading the parade.
Pet contests begin at 6:30 p.m. immediately following the parade in the grassy lot of the former Jean Christopher building at the corner of Winter and Maumee streets. This year’s costume contests are sponsored by the First Presbyterian Church of Adrian with prizes donated by Tasty Treats of Adrian. Contest categories include best homemade costume, most original costume, cutest costume and funniest costume. Judges for the contest include Adrian Mayor Angie Sword Heath, veterinarian Mike Herr from the Adrian Animal Clinic and local dog trainer Ted Aranda.
First Presbyterian Church, 156 E. Maumee St., will also be offering free snow cones and water. It will also have additional activities for pets.
The pie-eating contest, presented by the Lenawee Humane Society, which is open to both humans and their dogs, is the final event of the dog-themed evening. There will be three eating contest categories: small dogs, medium dogs and large dogs with a prize for each category.
“Line up with your dog, grab a whipped cream filled plate, wait for the green flag from one of the volunteers, then slurp away to see which dynamic duo finishes first,” a news release from the Wagley Group said.
“Pawsports,” provided by The Wagley Group, the Lenawee Humane Society, the First Presbyterian Church and several additional downtown businesses, can be stamped up to five times before 8 p.m. for the chance to win a Yeti prize package or gift cards to downtown businesses. Pawsports will also be available at the First Fridays information tent.
The Adrian Cruise-In Car Show, sponsored by Nova’s Soda Pop and Candy Shop, will be another highlight of the evening. Several bands and musicians will be performing throughout downtown Adrian and in businesses:
Free bounce houses will be available for kids at the Toledo Street Pavilion along with food trucks and the Adrian City Market at Pavilion. Adrian’s DARA social district, which is now open until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, allows patrons the ability to enjoy an adult beverage while walking around downtown Adrian.
The following businesses will have activities and specials during First Fridays:

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