Coon Dog Day 2024: When It Is & How Its Celebrated
By Adam Mann
Updated on
The Coon Dog, also known as the Coonhound, is a type of scent hound, and they’re outstanding hunting dogs. If you have one of these dogs, one event you might know of is Coon Dog Day.
But what exactly is Coon Dog Day, when is it, and perhaps most importantly, how is it celebrated? It’s not the most well-known event in the world, but if you’re looking to celebrate the Coonhound, it takes place during July, usually on a random Saturday of the month.
When and Where is Coon Dog Day?
When and Where is Coon Dog Day?Coon Dog Day is not an international or even a national level event. It’s a local event in the tiny town of Saluda, North Carolina. It takes place on a Saturday in July, although the festival’s exact date varies from year to year.
It’s a quirky festival that celebrates the Coon dog and its hunting prowess, and the festival itself attracts over 10,000 visitors each year. For a town with just 700 residents, that’s quite the feat!
Coon Dog Day Events
If you’re thinking about attending the Coon Dog Day festival in Saluda, they offer a wide array of events for you to enjoy throughout the day. It might be quite the trip for you depending on where you live, but Saluda puts on quite the show of local vendors and events to make it well worth the trip.
Fun Run/Walk
What event would be complete without an optional fun run and walk you can participate in? It’s a great way to start the day, but if you’re not an avid runner or walker, you certainly don’t need to participate in this event to enjoy the festival.
Parade
Many people consider the Coon Dog Day parade the highlight of the event. It has its quirky features and entrants, but it’s well worth checking out, and since it takes over the event for a short time, you really can’t miss it!
Dog Show
The festival is all about the Coon Dog, so it wouldn’t be complete if they weren’t front and center for a dog show event! But unlike a traditional dog show that only focuses on the dog’s appearance, the Coon dog show features an event where you get to watch the dogs execute their hunting techniques.
Food and Vendors
If you’re a foodie, there are tons of options for you. Saluda attracts all sorts of food vendors of every shape and size, allowing you to feast on different options while you’re there. Not only is the Coon Dog Day festival a foodie’s delight, but there are countless other types of craft vendors and more at the festival.
No matter what you’re looking for, there are tons of options for you to pick from, and it all adds to an overall great experience at the festival.
Final Thoughts
The exact date of Coon Dog Day might change a bit from year to year, but if you’re going to be near Saluda, North Carolina in July, you’ll want to check it out. And if you simply love the Coonhound, it’s an event that’s well-worth traveling to at least once!
Featured Image Credit: SillyDogPhotos, Shutterstock
