Commission funds $300 for Feliz Navi holiday dog contest at Esperanza Dog Park

The Cathedral City Parks and Community Events Commission on April 1 approved $300 from the commission’s budget to support the “Feliz Navi Dog” holiday dog costume contest at Esperanza Dog Park on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025.

Commissioners described the event as a neighborhood-focused holiday contest with the same format used for other dog contests: registration before 9:30 a.m. and judging from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., with small- and large-dog categories and combination-owner-and-dog awards. The commission was told the event is intended to showcase Esperanza Park as a citywide destination and could attract attendees from outside the immediate neighborhood.

Staff and commissioners discussed promotional elements: 50 flyers were proposed for distribution, and commissioners requested a banner with sponsor names. Initial discussion considered increasing the request to $600 to cover a banner, but commissioners later agreed to proceed with the original $300 request and to coordinate banner and flyer costs with staff and subcommittee members. The motion approved $300 to come from the Parks and Community Events budget; Vice Chair Bai Shu made the motion and Commissioner Herrera seconded; the roll call showed all present commissioners voting yes (4–0).

Commissioners also discussed a possible bicycle raffle for children at the event. The commission asked staff to coordinate the number and funding source for bikes with community partners; no specific dollar amount for bikes was approved at the meeting, and commissioners said they would finalize details in subsequent meetings.

The commission noted the event will be placed on a City Council agenda (likely July or August) for any necessary budget housekeeping after the city’s new budget is adopted.