North Bend Block Party | Creative costumes, doggie Olympics showcase hot dogs

Cathie Linden is expecting at least one Lady Gaga at this weekend’s festivities, and hoping for a Justin Bieber, too.

“This year, I’ve asked people to get creative with their costumes,” she said, “so I asked a friend to bring her dog as Lady Gaga.”

But dogs dressed up as pop stars are only part of the full day that Linden, owner of U Dirty Dog, is planning for dogs and their owners who come to the North Bend downtown Block Party. There will also be grooming demonstrations give-aways, and the much anticipated doggie olympics, with events like bobbing for hot dogs, and the loudest “speak.”

Last year’s loudest will be back this year, too, she says. “It’s a basset hound. He just jumps up on his owner’s shoulder and howls. He’s so loud!”

Linden got the idea for the olympics from a friend, who runs the games as part of an annual reunion of her foster dogs. She and staff came up with the game ideas themselves, and “by far the most popular is the peanut-butter lick!” In this game, each dog is given a peanut-butter filled paper cup to clean out.

“It’s all about fun,” Linden says, including the gold, silver and bronze pawprint medallions that go to the winners. “The dogs are usually the ones walking around wearing the medals.”

The doggie olympics will take place in the grassy area across from the U Dirty Dog booth, from 2 to 4 p.m., and the costume contest will be on the Community Stage at 5 p.m.

All of the events are free, but participating dogs must be friendly.

Contact Snoqualmie Valley Record Staff Reporter Carol Ladwig at cladwig@valleyrecord.com.

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