PHOTO PROVIDED The "Best Pet Group" 3 mini Golden Doodles, Ruby, Riley and Tucker. Their owner is Theresa Morosco.

Look for more than a dozen pet contests, an apple pie baking contest, music and fun for the kids during the day, Wednesday July 4, at the Marina at Cape Harbour. The event is from noon to 3:30 p.m.

“The pets have been polishing up their pet costumes in preparation for the Great American Pet Contest,” said event manager Glenda Swager, “They are pretty doggone excited.”

There will be 16 categories of judging, she said, including Miss Cape Harbour and Mr. Cape Harbour, and Mr. Stud Muffin.

“And there’s the popular Best Patriotic Pet Contest,” she said. “They’re so well behaved, in their glory and they love to pose.”

The pet contestants will be judged by Lois Thome, WINK-TV news anchor. There is no cost to enter. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. and the contests start at 1 p.m.

The "Best Patriotic Pet" winner from last year was a Westie named, Tammy, 12 years old. She is an ICU Intensive Care Unit Dog. Her owner is Gae Horrigan.

Medals will be awarded and the grand prize is a gift basket from the Cape Harbour Merchants.

“The event is a traditional Cape Coral birthday salute to the nation,” said Swager. It begins with a patriotic acknowledgment to the troops accompanied by the Cape Coral VFW Post 8463 Color Guard.

Then Caira Everly will kick off the event singing the national anthem along with a medley of patriotic songs to get everyone in the spirit. “

She’s a college student; a talented young singer,” Swager said. “In fact, she was one of the contestants on America’s Got Talent a few years back.”

It is a family-friendly day of activities for everyone featuring foods, different contests and live entertainment and music, she added.

“For children, there will be craft tables for the kids to do thank-you cards for the troops. This is the 5th year that members of the non-profit Adopt-A-Troop Foundation will be raising money to support our military. Be sure and write a personalized message on the large banner that will be sent to our heroes overseas.”

Children can also create fun designs on bandanas for themselves or for the troops.

High Maintenance Salon & Spa and Divine Diva’s Boutique will adorn “children and those young at heart” with patriotic tattoos and firecracker ponytails.

“Pignoli on the Harbour is one of our new vendors, and they will also be selling hot dogs, burgers and sausage,” Swager said.

Also an annual part of the event is an apple pie baking contest hosted by Pignoli on the Harbour. Judging begins at 3 p.m and there is no cost to enter.

There will also be a banana split eating contest hosted by Run Agrounds premium coffee, pastry and gelato shop at 2:45 p.m.

Throughout the festival, Chris the DJ with Juke Box Hero will provide entertainment. The Hot Flashz dance team will perform and Jeff Santella’s Martial Arts University will hold a demonstration by the Street Defense team.

The Farmers Market will also be open.

Rumrunners, The Joint and Run Agrounds will serve several menu choices, Swager said, and merchants along the Marina Promenade will have their doors open featuring red-hot holiday specials.

They have another new merchant – The Harbour Soap Company which will part of the fun, and opening soon is Scentiments.

“That’s brand name discounted perfumes,” Swager said.

Admission and parking are free. For more details, log onto capeharbour.com or call 945-6116.