Sandy’s Yappy Hour Returns for Third Year at Bluff Park

By Justin Andress, Sandy Standard

It’s all paws on deck Thursday, May 14, when the City of Sandy hosts its third annual Yappy Hour from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Sandy Bluff Park.

You don’t have to work hard to convince the average Oregonian to attend an event that lets them spoil the family dog, but that hasn’t stopped City of Sandy Recreation Coordinator Carol Cohen from working overtime to build an event that’s quickly drawing attention from dogs (and their owners) throughout the region.

OPB estimates that roughly 92 percent of Oregonians have owned a pet at one point in their lives, with the majority of those folks being dog owners. Still, in spite of the fact that Sandy is home to a dedicated dog park, there were few events meant to celebrate the connection between local pups and their people.

In retrospect, that’s surprising. Sandy is a city that’s built for dogs. Most businesses allow pups to walk through freely. A lot of those business owners even bring their dogs to work. Sandy Bluff Dog Park is expansive and includes space for big and small dogs alike. The city also boasts several pet stores. Guide Dogs for the Blind trains their prospective dogs with walks through the streets of Sandy.

In other words, there’s plenty for local dog owners to do with their furry friends. That made the lack of group events all the more painful for pet owners looking to mingle.

In came Cohen, who was planning to “do something totally different” than had previously been tried by the city. “I knew we could attract people with dogs,” she explains. From there, it was a hop, skip, and a jump to organizing a dog-friendly gathering. 

Yappy Hour is an inspired idea. It’s an obvious fit for Sandy, a city that stands out as dog-friendly, even in a state that’s known throughout the country for its love of pooches. Through Yappy Hour, Cohen has discovered a way to celebrate the community’s love of dogs as a group.

It’s a warm, family-friendly way to gather with other dog owners and perhaps make a new friend along the way. Even if you’re not feeling especially social, your dog will absolutely love the activities in store.

For starters, Gresham’s dog boarding and training business, DogTown, designed an obstacle course for rambunctious dogs to run out their energy. Ever wondered if your dog had the stuff to race through an obstacle course? Here’s your chance to find out (and have some fun doing it).

The City of Sandy also plans to show up in force. The Parks and Recreation Department plans to set up a photo booth “so owners can have pictures of their dogs and themselves.”

The Sandy Transit Department’s trolley will make an appearance, too. As will reps from the Sandy Library, Police Department, and more. There will be a veritable army of city employees handing out free goodies for both pets and owners.

Even if you’re not a dog owner, it’s a great opportunity to get out and commune with your neighbors. At the very least you’ll be able to pet some friendly dogs while you sip on a beer or cider from Boring Brewing. Sandy’s favorite business (google it) will also be offering hot dogs to hungry attendees.

According to Cohen, the event will be packed with vendors who have come from far and wide to attend. “We have lots of vendors that will be giving away free stuff for the dogs, like handkerchiefs, treats, balls, and more,” she says.

If you’ve never attended Yappy Hour, this is the year to mark it on your calendar. In a relatively short time, the event has exploded in popularity. “It’s been very successful,” says Cohen. “My local vendors and my out-of-town vendors are eager to be a part of the event.”

Among Yappy Hour’s “Top Dog” sponsors are local businesses like Evergreen Pet Supply, Fernhill Vet, KindCare Vet, Pine + Paw, and Geren's Farm & Landscape Supply. Dogs will certainly love the inevitable mountain of free treats on offer, while inquisitive dog owners might discover that there’s world-class pet care right in their own backyard.

“All dogs big and small are welcome,” says Cohen, adding, “All dogs need to be on a leash.”

Be sure to make time this May 14 to get you, the family, and your favorite pup to the third annual Yappy Hour. You won’t regret it.