JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Gather your four-legged friends and get ready to have a barking good time.
The 15th annual Bandshell Bark will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 14 at Roxbury Bandshell in Roxbury Park, Franklin Street, Johnstown.
The event is a dog-walk fundraiser to support the Roxbury Bandshell Preservation Alliance and canine-related projects.
“This is something fun for the dogs, and people have a great time and love the event,” said Eileen Graham, event chairwoman.
After a stroll down the red carpet, dogs and their owners will walk four times around the park.
The walk ends with a finish-line festival, complete with dog contests, school team spirit contest, food and refreshments, and dog photo opportunities.
There also will be information on local pet- and non-pet-related organizations.
“I’d like to see at least 100 dogs at this park this year,” Graham said.
The day will feature a pet contest, which includes categories in cutest canine, most mannered, best costume, most talented, best barker and longest kiss.
There will be a team spirit contest for local high school students, along with their canine friends. Students are encouraged to display school spirit and dress their pooches as their high school mascots.
In addition, there will be the wiener dog races and wiener dog wannabe races. Participants are encouraged to dress their canines as hot dogs to add to the fun.
“The day is pretty packed with eight different pet contests, and sometimes people dress in costume with their dog,” Graham said.
A dog-kissing booth will be available to smooch your pooch.
Winners of the baskets of chance will be announced at 2:30 p.m.
Proceeds will benefit the continued preservation of the Roxbury Banshell with a portion of proceeds going to the Johnstown Police K-9 unit, Humane Society of Cambria County and Humane Society of Somerset County.
“I want people to come out and have a great day and enjoy it with their dogs,” Graham said. “Even if they don’t have a dog, people are welcome to come out and watch the contests and participate in the other activities.”
This year’s event will be in memory of the late Dr. Joel Borkow and Christine Davis Fogle.
Registration fee is $10 per dog through Sunday and $15 per dog after that date. For an additional $12, participants can purchase a commemorative anniversary Bandshell Bark T-shirt. All registered participants in the dog walk will receive a bandana for their pet.
Participant registration forms are available at www.roxburybandshell.com.
A rain date of Sept. 28 has been set in case of inclement weather.
For more information, call 814-241-9004.
Kelly Urban is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. She can be reached at (814) 532-5073. Follow her on Twitter @KellyUrban25.
