After a one-year hiatus, the popular animal-themed Pet-a-Palooza event will return to Citrus Heights this weekend.
Pet-a-Palooza will be held at Rusch Park on March 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and will feature main stage performances from former “Glee” actor-turned-musician Chord Overstreet, hip-hop/reggae singer Wizkid and the country/southern rock group Cripple Creek Band.
Main stage exotic animal shows will also be presented by “Wild Things,” according to Karen Rufer, director of special events for Bonneville Sacramento, which is putting on the free event.
Rufer told The Sentinel last month that the 2019 event will also feature all-day pet attractions that have been popular at past events, including Splash Dogs, a “doggy fun zone obstacle course” and K9 demonstrations from the Citrus Heights Police Department. She said a kids play area will include a 22-foot-tall inflatable double-slide, an obstacle course, pirate ship, inflatable playhouse, home run derby, choo choo train, and a “Wild One” inflatable course.
As previously reported by The Sentinel, Pet-a-Palooza had been put on at Rusch Park by CBS Radio up until 2017, but later that year Bonneville took over operation of four radio stations in the Sacramento area that were previously operated by CBS. In an effort to cut costs, the new owners reportedly decided to downsize Pet-a-Palooza and move it to Land Park.
Past events at Rusch Park had attracted upwards of 10,000 attendees, according to estimates from the Sunrise Recreation and Parks District.
