Adopted from a local shelter at 6 months old, now-16-year-old terrier mix Teddy frequently joins in the Walk Your Paws festivities for the Humane Society of Parkersburg, as he did Saturday in City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

PARKERSBURG — Clouds turned down the heat but held off on the rain for the Humane Society of Parkersburg’s annual fundraiser in City Park Saturday.

The 29th annual Elinor K. Ross Walk Your Paws event drew more people than last year, said Gary McIntyre, executive director of the HSOP. At one point, he counted more than 170 between guests, vendors and volunteers and staff, but people were coming and going throughout the four-hour span.

“I think everyone that was there enjoyed themselves. It was a good time,” McIntyre said. “There was a raindrop or two just as we put the last things away.”

The event is the animal shelter’s “major operational fundraising event, ” and this edition brought in approximately $25,000 through sponsorships, vendor fees, raffles, concessions and donations raised by walkers, McIntyre said.

Walking his Great Dane Arlo in the park Saturday, Humane Officer Dan Hendrickson said he enjoys seeing dogs that have been adopted from the shelter at the walk each year.

Humane Society of Parkersburg Humane Officer Dan Hendrickson, left, and his Great Dane, Arlo, greet Catie Brandyberry and her Shih-Tzu, Sebastian, during the Walk Your Paws event Saturday at City Park in Parkersburg. The annual event is the local Humane Society’s major operational fundraiser for the year. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

One of those returning was June, a 5-year-old Jack Russell mix who was fostered and then adopted by Parkersburg resident Kay Santer.

“I just enjoy being around other people that love their animals too,” Santer said. “It’s a fun event, and it helps raise money for the shelter.”

Vienna resident Katie Vickers came with her 16-year-old terrier mix, Teddy.

“I’ve been bringing him here for years,” Vickers said. “I adopted him from the Humane Society in 2006.”

Several vendors were selling dog toys and related items, but there were other wares to sample as well. The GFWC Parkersburg Woman’s Club set up a table to give out free, dog-themed books to children.

Pit bull Bumblebee is ready for her closeup during the 29th annual Walk Your Paws fundraiser for the Humane Society of Parkersburg Saturday at City Park. Bumblebee was among the shelter dogs at the event. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

“We’re encouraging reading by getting the kids books to read to their pets,” club member Jane Hardman said.

According to flyers handed out by the club, children may feel more at ease reading to an animal, who will just listen rather than judge how well they’re doing.

Live music was offered at the event for the first time in several years. Jim Forshey performed as Elvis Presley in line with the ’50s theme, “Bark ‘n’ Roll.”

Vaccinations were offered, with 82 dogs receiving shots, McIntyre said.

It also provided an opportunity to showcase some of the dogs up for adoption at the shelter.

The walking portion of the 29th annual Elinor K. Ross Walk Your Paws fundraiser for the Humane Society of Parkersburg begins Saturday morning at City Park, with shelter dogs Bentley, left, and Petey walked by kennel tech/adoption counselor Katelyn York and kennel tech Sterling Jones, respectively. (Photo by Evan Bevins)

McIntyre said the shelter has seen an uptick in adoptions over the last 10 days.

“We’ve had over 50 adoptions, which is great because our shelter was exceeding capacity,” he said.

When that happens, the shelter must still take in strays under its contract with Wood County. But they may have to turn owner surrenders away, which McIntyre said isn’t good because people are bringing the pets in for a reason.

The shelter at 29th and Poplar streets in Parkersburg is open 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Low-cost vaccination clinics are offered monthly.

More information is available by visiting the Humane Society of Parkersburg Facebook page or its website, www.hsop.org, or calling 304-422-5541.

Evan Bevins can be reached at ebevins@newsandsentinel.com.

Erica Lonas, right, with local belly dancing troupe Jewels of the Valley, does the Twist with her son, Jonuthin, during a performance and demonstration at the Humane Society of Parkersburg’s Walk Your Paws fundraiser in City Park. (Photo by Evan Bevins)