Life

SALUDA SLIDESHOW: Every dog has his day

People and dogs enjoyed the 50th Coon Dog Day parade Saturday in Saluda.

By Bill Moss, Published: July 6, 2013

SALUDA — Organizers caught a rare window of clear weather and welcomed hundreds of visitors, tourists and local folks to the 50th Coon Dog Day in Saluda on Saturday.

The annual parade, a highlight of the event, included old-timey cars, fire trucks, improvised floats, beauty queens and salutes of all kinds to the lowly hound dog known for its gifted nose and tell-tale bark.

The grand champion, a black, brown and white hound named Jake, walked down Saluda's Main Street with his handler. The owner described his dog as "the Pavarotti of coon dogs."