If the poor conditions of the McComb Animal Shelter weren't enough of an incentive for local officials to pursue a new facility, the threat of plunging into water from a dunking booth might be.
The inaugural McComb Kids and Pets Day is 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the pavilion and parking garage in downtown McComb to raise money to build a new animal shelter.
The carnival is a day of family-friendly fun for kids and adults, with live music, face painting, petting zoo, food and games, including a dunking booth with Mayor Whitney Rawlings and Summit Police Chief Kenny Cotton. Admission is free, and tickets for games are 50 cents.
“It’s going to be fun for adults and kids because you know the adults are going to want to dunk the mayor and Kenny Cotton,” Shaw said.
The existing facility on Michigan Avenue is outdated and was not built for the comfort of the animals. The city formed a committee earlier this year to focus on fundraising and planning for a new facility.
The event kicks off with a waffle breakfast at 8 a.m., and the shelter will also have animals for adoption on hand. Volunteers are still needed for the carnival, and vendor booths are available for $20.
Spearheading the fundraising efforts are McComb animal control officers, Monique McCullough and Teresa Shaw, along with McComb resident Nan Miller.
Miller said she wants people to work on their own fundraising campaign throughout the week and bring the money Saturday. The carnival will culminate with the coronation of the day’s king and queen, crowning the boy and girl who raised the most money for the new shelter.
“We want people to try and do fundraisers and get family and friends to donate money. We’re trying to get everyone involved somehow, whether it’s just saving your pennies or your pop money or something that we can make people aware of what needs to happen,” Miller said.
For more information, visit McCombAnimalShelter.com or call 684-3602. Donations for the McComb Animal Shelter building fund may be made at city hall or during the carnival Saturday.
