LEWISTON — Local animal rescue groups, pet-related businesses and pet charities will participate this weekend in the Androscoggin Pet Expo at the National Guard Armory at 55 Alfred Plourde Parkway.

The event will run from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, and will feature booths presented by pet groups and pet businesses, workshops, a band, food and door prizes. Children’s activities will include a stuffed animal parade, face painting and craft projects.    

Several area rescue groups, including Alley Cats L/A, Tommy’s Feral Felines and HART, will be there to talk about their mission and the animals they serve. The Pixel Fund, a Gorham nonprofit that works to save the lives of shelter animals, will also be there and will accept collars, leashes and other donations.

Although rescue groups may have animals at the event, the expo is not open to family pets.

Advance tickets are $5 for adults, $3 for children and $15 for families of up to five people, with those advance proceeds benefiting the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society in Lewiston, The Pixel Fund and the Maine POM Project, which buys pet oxygen masks for ambulances and firetrucks. Advance tickets are available at the Greater Androscoggin Humane Society.

Tickets will also be sold at the door during the event for $8 for adults, $5 for children and $24 for families of up to five people. Children under 5 will be free. All activities are free. Food, pet toys and other items will be available for purchase.

Although this is the first Androscoggin Pet Expo, organizers hope to make it an annual event.

“Hopefully (people) are going to have a fun time. That’s really what we’re trying to do is make it a fun event where they can connect with some local pet businesses, maybe learn some things about what’s out there for them, but really just have fun,” said Marcia Carr, who is helping to organize the expo. 

Some booths are still available for the event. For more information call 740-6576.

For more information on the expo in general, call 740-2241.

Event organizer What a Great Event also plans to hold similar pet expos at the Norway Armory on Aug. 11 and 12, Bangor Auditorium Oct. 13 and 14 and, tentatively, in Topsham at the beginning of November.

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