From the Eblen Charities newsletter:
If a dog is man’s best friend, then a flying dog is, well…just amazing!
If you have never seen a dog fly you have to make your way to Bele Chere this weekend as Ingles Markets once again presents the Ultimate Air Dogs this Friday, July 27th through Sunday, July 29th.
For the fourth consecutive year Eblen Charities is joining Ingles Markets’ Ultimate Air Dogs at one of the south’s premier outdoor festivals to raise funds to benefit the programs of Eblen Charities.
This weekend tens of thousands of people will take to the streets in downtown Asheville to enjoy the food, entertainment, and excitement of Bele Chere.
But of all the events this weekend none compare to the high flying athleticism of the Ultimate Air Dogs. Festival goers will again enjoy the amazing performances of some of the nation’s (and western North Carolina’s) top dogs as they fly through the air exhibiting their natural talent of catching, diving, and retrieving.
At the end of each performance numbered tennis balls, sold by Eblen Charities’ volunteers to the spectators for $2 each, two for $3 or three for $5, will be dumped into the diving pool and one of the canine stars will jump in and retrieve a winning number t0 win a $25 Ingles Gift Card
The Ultimate Air Dogs is one of the premier dock jumping organizations in the country that puts on professional events that entertain thousands of spectators while maintaining a family friendly atmosphere. Their shows become the feature of every festival or show that we do!
Begun as a grassroots Michigan Dock Jumping Club, the Ultimate Air Dogs strive to make every single participant feel important, from the smallest novice jumper to the biggest ultimate high flyer. To do so they created the Divisional Finals where the top five dogs from each division are invited to compete in a Grand Finale.
Another way the Ultimate Air Dogs put the dog first, is by providing more open dock time than any other organization and providing practice time to all participants. If dogs are having difficulty learning, their crew of volunteers provides help and training between activities. Every Ultimate Air Dog is equally special and mixes and breeds are welcome.
The Ultimate Air Dogs has partnered with Purina to round up participants for the Purina Incredible Dog Challenge as seen on CBS’s “The Late Show with David Letterman”. Purina has been a long time sponsor of Ultimate Air Dogs and mascot, “Sparky” Wilcox.
Many people come to these events just to meet president and main announcer, Milt Wilcox, the former Detroit Tiger pitcher famous for winning the 1984 World Series. Milt and Sparky have been seen on ABC’s “Good Morning America” and ESPN’s “Cold Pizza” along with competing in many of their “Great Outdoor Games.”
Our heartfelt thanks again to to Melissa Leavelle and David Bay of Ingles Markets, Milt Wilcox of the Ultimate Air Dogs, and all of our volunteers who will be joining us this weekend as we enjoy the show and raise funds for our families in their times of need.
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