Elwood, IL – Anyone who can answer yes to the question, “do you and your dog have matching outfits?” will be excited to learn about an event where you are not only expected to look like your dog, but where you can win prizes for a dog and owner matching costume contest and a dog costume contest! The event is called ‘Struttin for Strays’ and will be held at the Lloyd Erickson Park in Elwood on May 15th. Sponsored by the Will County Humane Society, this event is a fundraiser for the many programs and services they offer, and will feature lots of fun, food, and activities for the everyone.

There are two ways that money will be raised for this fun event; either by pledges that you get from friends and family, or by donating upon arrival. The fee is $15 for an individual and $25 for a family with the fee entitling the registrant to face painting, a photo booth, music with a DJ, water, chicken and biscuits, and cookies and fruit. ‘Stuttin for Strays’ will start at 8:30am and will last until approximately 2:00pm, with registration beginning at 7:00am. The event will involve a 5K walk, where you are invited to walk, skate, or rollerblade, ride tricycles, pull wagons or push strollers (please bring your own pooper scooper and bags to keep the park clean for everyone).

In addition to the fun and activities, there will be 13 exhibitor booths where there will be plenty of giveaways. No one will be selling at these booths because “the walk is not to bombard people with a lot of out-of-pocket expenses…it’s to come and support the shelter and enjoy the benefits afterwards,” as WCHS fundraising chairman Kim Lake of Elwood explained. Lake has also indicated that the reason for the change in venue this year was to locate a place that is nice and flat, making it wheelchair accessible!

The park is located at 500 N. Chicago St. and is beautiful at this time of year with the new blooms taking shape! This is a perfect opportunity to create lasting memories by bringing your camera and using the park as a backdrop for those hilarious pictures of you and your matching dog!