Saluda City Commissioners received an update on this year’s Coon Dog Day Festival from the festival committee during the city’s Feb. 9 meeting. Committee member Tangie Morgan said the committee has had a few meetings and are trying to get the festival more like it used to be years ago. The committee has decided to change the 5K race slightly, to include a walk where participants can bring their dogs. Morgan said there were 240 runners last year so the committee is hoping by expanding it to include a walk there will be even more entries this year. The committee is also looking for more areas for festival participants to park this year as well as looking for more vendors. Morgan said the committee is sending out letters soon for sponsorships as well as working on vendor packages. She also said the committee is trying to get a local celebrity to be in this year’s parade, but did not say the name of the celebrity.

The next Coon Dog Day committee meeting is scheduled for Feb. 19 at 5:30 p.m. and anyone is welcome to join to help with this year’s festival. The Coon Dog Day Festival is held annually in downtown Saluda the Saturday following July 4.