Concerned that too few people will see and appreciate the genius Halloween costume you've spent hours crafting for your pooch? Have no fear; the 11th annual Bark in the Park includes a dog costume contest with first, second and third place prizes to adequately reward your canine costume efforts.
The event is being held at Jack Benson Heritage Park Saturday, Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Christ United Methodist will have church officials on-site to bless animals at the start of the event, and a "Spooky Pooch Parade" will kick off at 10.
In addition to the dog costume contest, the event includes an adoption fair, a vendor market featuring home-based businesses, free snow cones, and demonstrations related to obedience and pet safety as well as by dogs working for the Chattanooga Police Department and Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.
A police dog shows off his skills during a demonstration at a previous year's Bark in the Park.Admission to the event is free, but attendees are asked to bring pet food donations for participating rescue groups, such as McKamey Animal Center, the Humane Educational Society and various breed-specific groups.
"We have a lot of dogs here from the hurricane," said event chair Craig Downs, referring to dogs displaced by Hurricane Florence that ended up in local shelters. "We're also trying to raise money for shade structures at the dog park [at Heritage Park]."
Those funds will be raised through Bark in the Park vendor and sponsorship fees, and the structures are intended to be used by people with disabilities. Several years ago, the event raised funds to put in paved paths at the dog park for wheelchair users. But those users aren't able to access the dog park's only shaded areas, which consist of benches located away from the path, Downs explained.
Heritage Park is at 1428 Jenkins Road in East Brainerd. For more information, email chattbitp@gmail.com.
Email Emily Crisman at ecrisman@timesfreepress.com.