The Peoria Humane Society's 16th annual Bark in the Park will be Sunday, October 14 at 11:00 AM at Festival Park at Hamilton & Water St. It's a great way to spend they day with your beloved dog and hang out with other over 100 other doglovers, all while fundraising to help support animals in need.

I've gone to the event for the past 5 years with my dachshund, Lola, and it's always been a fun time. There are activities you can enter into with your pup, like the Best Dressed Dog, Most Tail Wags per Minute, and Dog-Owner Look-Alike contest. There are even food and dog-related vendors on site for you to enjoy. My favorite thing has always been getting my complimentary photo taken with my dog.

Last years event raised over $45,000. The funds raised will benefit the animals of the Peoria community through programs and services made possible for them by the Peoria Humane Society. The goal for this year is $60,000. Rain or shine, hot or cold, Bark in the Park is worth heading down to the Riverfront for some four-legged fun that helps the animals!

The schedule of events is as follows:

11:00am - Registration opens
11:00am - 11:50 - Mutt Show sign up behind stage
12:00pm - Great American Marvelous Mutt Show
2:00pm - The Bark Walk begins on Riverfront
2:30pm - Raffle and Silent Auction winners announced

It is $21 per participant and you can register for Bark in the Park here. Each registrant receives a Bark in the Park t-shirt, bandanna, goodie bag, souvenir photo and may bring one dog to the event. If you'd like to attend without your dog, it is $5 per person for ages 13+ and kids 12 and under are free!