Paws in the Peaks is an inaugural event presented by Tourism Sun Peaks (TSP), providing a weekend packed with mostly dog-related activities from Sept. 13 to Sept. 15.
While putting together an itinerary for the Fall Festival, previously slated for the weekend, events manager for TSP, Theresa St. Louis, and the events team had booked the SuperDogs, a group of 35 dogs performing stunts.
“The opportunity to expand into a dog themed weekend presented itself,” she said. “So then we just worked with that.”
Greg Albrecht’s work with TSP to create an event strategy with his company Four Force Management led to taking the previously broad theme of the upcoming weekend and turning it into Paws in the Peaks.
“Sun Peaks is so dog friendly as is,” executive director for TSP Naomi Kerchinsky said. “So [it] was such an easy fit that was also kind of like, why have we never done this before?”
Making the weekend more open to dogs, many hotels are offering pet-friendly accommodation, listed below an itinerary of the weekend’s festivities online.
Community business support
As soon as TSP focused the weekend on dogs, many village businesses stepped in wanting to be a part of it.
“We just created momentum with a focus and it’s starting to build on its own, which is exactly what we want to do,” Albrecht said.
Bosley’s and BC SPCA are sponsoring the K9 movie night on Friday that will kick off the weekend in Sun Peaks Centre Stage, playing dog themed movies Marley and Me, Best in Show, Lassie and 101 Dalmatians.
“We’re really lucky to have four different vendors in the market that have come forward with dog items for sale,” St. Louis said. These include a dog trainer, leashes, bandanas and cookies all for the dogs.
Mountain Man Dog Sled Adventures is bringing their newest puppies along with a couple of mature working dogs to Paws in the Peaks, where owners of the company, Chris and Taryn Schwanke will be talking about their business.
Engel and Volkers real estate is running a Pup Parade, with advanced and on-site registration open.
The parade is something Albrecht is especially excited for.
“When the stroll comes alive with a whack of dogs dressed up in crazy outfits, and we’re doing awards from the stage and that kind of thing, I think that’s going to be really fun.”
Businesses have gotten involved for many summer events, as exemplified in six different locations hosting music during the party like it’s 1999 patio series, but their involvement has been largest for Paws in the Peaks.
“It’s a dog community, people are very passionate about it,” St. Louis said, explaining this level of support.
Plans and expansion
St. Louis and Kerchinsky are especially looking forward to seeing the SuperDogs perform, which they’ll be doing throughout the weekend as well as a pat and chat, a meet and greet with dogs and trainers.
“There are [activities] for dogs, there are [activities] for people to be able to bring their dogs to and then there’s [activities] that are still very family oriented,” St. Louis said.
Among the dog shows, movies and booths selling dog items, there’ll be activity booths for families providing things like face painting, science and magic shows as well.
Going forward with this event, St. Louis said they’ll likely keep it in the fall, as the milder weather is much more ideal for dogs to be running around in.
“As we build this out this year, we’ll obviously take photographs and content and whatever else, and then we’ll be on it earlier for next year, as soon this is over, to then build it even bigger and better,” Albrecht said.
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