Located in Pottawatomie Park, east of the Fox River (north of Downtown) at Second and North Avenues, St. Charles, IL

Performance times:

Saturday: Noon, 2pm, 3pm, 4pm and 5pm

Sunday: Noon, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm

    If you love animals … if you like comedy … if you marvel at the athleticism and uncanny smarts of our canine companions, then CanineCapers is for you.

     In every performance you will see Jack Russell Terrier Races, Frisbee Catching and Obstacle Races, staged in the wide-open spaces of Pottawatomie Park.

   Jack Russell racing is easily the most exciting Terrier event in the dog world.  Up to six Jack Russells participate in each race.  The Terriers are released from a starting box to chase a lure down a long, straight lane until they reach a “wall” of hay bales with a hole just large enough for a Jack Russell to fit through.  The first dog through the hole wins.  Each canine athlete is muzzled for its own safety as well as for the people “catching” dogs in the catch pen at the end of the race.  Races typically have several heats to determine the winner of each class.  A class is comprised of dogs of the same gender and size.  There are even races for puppies and veterans.  Whatever the size or class, the Jack Russells’ energy level remains high throughout the competition.

    Frisbee is a team sport – dog and handler. In its freestyle version, routines are choreographed to music. Multiple Frisbees may be used, setting it apart from the basic “throw and catch.” Frisbee dogs can be found back-flipping, leaping sky high, using all parts of their body – as well as their handler’s frame. Frisbee dogs love what they do, and it shows.

    For obstacle races, it’s dog against dog as they race on separate mirror-image courses of identical obstacles – weave polls, tunnels, jumps, etc. – two dogs at a time in eliminations until a winner emerges.

    While RiverFest’s CanineCapers is all for fun, its participants include national and world finalists – dogs and handlers. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn from some of the best in the land … or just enjoy for its universal appeal.

    By the way, there’s always lots of audience participation, so bring the family – the whole family. Between performances, you’re welcome (encouraged even) to visit with the dogs and handlers.

    Pet Boutique includes commercial booths with nutrition and accessory products for pets and pet lovers, veterinary services and canine information … a wide variety of practical and fun items.

    Other activities in the Park include the Water Ski Shows at 1 p.m. daily, RiverFest Craft Show tented just north of the CanineCapers field, Dragon Boat Races (all day, both days), the Business Showcase (commercial exhibits) along the Riverwalk, and the juried Fine Arts Show (painting, drawing, pottery, jewelry, photography, glass and sculpture) along the Riverwalk heading south back toward the Municipal Building, plus paddlewheel river boat rides and ”MyOtherCar” Show on Saturday and Corvette Show on Sunday.