The hottest days of the summer are called "the dog days." Creative Discover Museum is celebrating the dog days with some "dog demos" and an artist in residence who makes fishing rods.
On Saturday at 2 p.m., Creative Discovery Museum guests can see dogs perform in canine sporting events, courtesy of Play Dog Excellent, a local business which provides training, boarding and daycare for dogs. Dogs and their human handlers will compete together as a team in two types of events: agility and rally.
"This kind of competition is really a team effort. The dog can't do it alone, and a human would look real silly out there without a dog," according to Bev Eitner of Play Dog Excellent.
"The agility event is a dog sport where a dog-handler team has to complete a course," said Ms. Eitner. "They will go through obstacles like a jump, an A-frame, a dog walk, tires, tunnels, and seesaws. They have to do each one a certain way and are scored based on correctness and time."
"In the rally event, the dog-handler team will go through a different course where they will encounter a series of signs with instructions. They have to do what the sign says and go on to the next sign," said Ms. Eitner.
The Museum will also have artist Jim Allen demonstrating the art of making fishing rods. Visitors can learn about making a rod, tying a fly and selecting the right kind of tackle for catching fish. This folk arts demonstration will be in the Atrium, from 1-4 p.m.
"We try to show children to see art forms that they may not know about or creative activities that they may not recognize as art," said Liza Blair, arts manager for the Museum. "Making a fishing rod is definitely an art, it involves technique and practice and a creative process, just like any other art form."
Regular summer hours are through Aug. 31. During regular summer hours the Museum is open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and Sunday noon - 5 p.m.
Fall hours begin Sept. 1. From Sept. 1 through Nov. 30, the Museum will be open Monday through Saturday (except Wednesday) 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 5 p.m. Closed Wednesday.
Tickets are $8.95 for children and adults. Creative Discovery Museum is located at 321 Chestnut St. in downtown Chattanooga. For more information, call 756-2738.