With spring just around the corner, Friends of the Guilford Dog Park members are hard at work raising money to ensure the park opens on schedule in June. To keep the money rolling in, the group has organized a “Calling All Dogs” telethon and Doggy Parade event on Saturday, March 12.

The daylong event starts at the Marketplace at Guilford Food Center from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with prizes and free giveaways dog costumed characters, and a telethon. There’s also an art show at Cilantro’s where the art was created by dogs. The dog parade kicks off from the Green at noon, and the organizers are hoping for a big turn out at the dog parade.

“We are hoping for a million dogs for the parade, but won’t be disappointed if only a couple hundred show up,” said Dog Park volunteer Catherine Kiernan Marganski. “After all some dogs are pretty lazy and Saturday is their day to just chill.

“Businesses throughout town are also collaborating with themed window displays, give aways, raffles,” Kiernan Marganski said. “There will also be groups on the corner of the Green hourly holding up signs to help increase the excitement in town.”

The Planning & Zoning Commission in December 2015 approved the park, which will cover approximately 1.5 acres on Nut Plains Road. Despite needing local government approval, the park expenses and maintenance won’t be covered by the town.

Kiernan Marganski said they Friends of the Guilford Dog Park has been thrilled with the fundraising effort so far. The money raised will go toward purchasing a fence for the park as well as other necessities.

“In less than 1 ½ months, nearly $23,000 of the required $38,000 has been raised and the momentum is growing daily,” she said. “Most towns take years to fundraise. Guilford is hoping to do it in weeks.”

The group’s signature event, “Yappy Hour” has been a big hit throughout town and has gotten many members of the community involved in the dog park.

“Yappy Hours, have been planned at local businesses on normally slow days and also to bring attention to key products that they have and want to advertise to the public,” she said. “The first Yappy Hour was at Sheppard’s Tavern on a Wednesday—over 85 people showed up and for many it was the first time there.”

Friends of the Guilford Dog Park are hoping to hit their fundraising totals over the next few weeks, according to Kiernan Marganski.

“If we raise the rest of the money we should be able to open in May or June,” she said. “After that we will start fundraising for Phase Two, which includes a paved walking track around the park.”

Kiernan Marganski said the dog park site is ready and awaiting a fence. A ceremonial “leash cutting” to open the park is scheduled for June 2016.

To learn more about the event and the Guilford Dog Park, visit www.guilforddogpark.com.