Pee Wee Martini, a Japanese Crested dog, is well known throughout the ugly dog contest circuit. No word yet on whether he took first prize at Laramie’s Amerifest, but we’ll keep you posted. (image: smh.com.au)
Earlier this week, propane giant AmeriGas hosted its first-ever Amerifest in Optimist Park near its office in Laramie, Wyoming, the Laramie Boomerang reported. Besides drumming up interest in the company, AmeriGas officials said they wanted give back and do something for community members and local business.
“It’s the first time (we) put it on. The purpose was to reach out to the customers and throw a fun day for the community,” Michael Balanoff, AmeriGas sales and service manager. “The idea was you have to get something free, there’s no charge to participate and everything has to be free.”
The event featured a motorcycle show, a petting zoo, and an ugly dog contest. At the end of the day, around $5,000 worth of free prizes had been given out. However, AmeriGas didn’t do it alone – 40 other local businesses like Big Brothers Big Sisters, A-One Rentals, and the Laramie Chamber of Commerce helped sponsor the funtivities.
“I think it’s cool that everything is free. Especially right now in this economy. It actually gives the community something they don’t have to pay for. Lately you have to pay for everything,” said one pleased Laramie resident. “It’s something we can bring our kids or dogs to and they can just have a good time.”
With more than 1,200 propane outlets serving 1.3 million customers nationwide, AmeriGas is one of the top three propane retailers in the country. Company officials have said Amerifest was such a hit, more than half the participating partners have asked to do it again next year and it may well become an annual tradition.