Saluda hosted its 62nd annual Coon Dog Day Festival on Saturday, July 12. (Photo courtesy of Brandon McNabb)

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SALUDA— The streets of Saluda buzzed with excitement on Saturday, July 12, as the city hosted its 62nd annual Coon Dog Day Festival, welcoming both visitors and locals alike.

The festivities kicked off at 8 a.m. with the much-anticipated Saluda Elementary School 5K Fun Run, with over 300 competitors participating. Eighteen-year-old Logan Totten-Lancaster from Carthage, NC, won the 5K, and a Kids’ Fun Run saw several young runners take off alongside their older counterparts. 

Following the 5K, the Coon Dog Day Parade brought Main Street to life with a procession that included local fire trucks from across the county, homemade floats, antique cars, and, of course, plenty of coon dogs. Children cheered along the route, eagerly collecting candy thrown by parade participants. The parade was a display of Saluda’s heritage and tight-knit community spirit, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Representatives from organizations set up informational booths, including Historic Saluda, at their new location in front of the Saluda Presbyterian Church. Local churches and organizations served breakfast, while McCreery Park bustled with children playing and local shops welcomed the throngs of festivalgoers.

A highlight of the day was the Every Dog’s a Star Show, where dogs of all breeds competed while raising funds for a noble cause. This was followed by an AKC Licensed Bench Show and a special Youth Show, both open to purebred Coonhounds.

“Saluda is a wonderful town, and we wanted to come support the town after Helene,” remarked Ella Sharp, a first-time attendee. “We had no idea there would be so much to see and do, and I’ll be looking forward to coming back next year.”

As the day progressed, attendees enjoyed a variety of food options, wandered through vendor booths, and participated in lively music and dancing. “Shagging in the Park” featured live performances by Jack Roper & The Weatherman Band, followed by “Square Dancing Under the Stars” with the Pinnacle Mountain All Stars, culminating in a street dance that concluded the day’s festivities.

Coon Dog Day was established in 1949 by the Blue Ridge Coon Dog Association with the mission of replenishing the local raccoon population. The event evolved through annual fundraising barbecues in the late 1950s, leading to the first Coon Dog Day Parade in 1963.