October 7, 2023

Dog lovers and their four-legged friends are invited to join us for the 29th Annual Dogtober Fest on Sunday, Oct. 22 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at the Kemper Outdoor Education Center located at 8201 S. Jasper Bell Road in Blue Springs. Event admission is free with your donation of dog food to benefit the Lee’s Summit Animal Shelter and other small, local shelters/rescues participating in the event. The goal is to collect five tons.

Attendees will “PAWticipate” in dog-themed activities and competitions while exploring the goods, services and outreach efforts of more than 75 vendors. New in 2023: Paint Your Pet! Take a seat in front of a canvas, pre-drawn with your pet and our experts will walk you through the step-by-step process. No skill required. You will take home a painting of your pet that you’re sure to love An additional fee and pre-registration are required for this activity.

Dogtober Fest 2023 is full of free contests and games throughout the day, such as Bobbing for Biscuits, Musical Discs and the beloved Halloween Costume Contest at 1:00 p.m. featuring three categories for those with three or more dogs: Frightful, Delightful and Group.

Guests will also enjoy exploring over 75 vendor booths including:

• Rescue Groups and Shelters
• Veterinarians and Pet Groomers
• Pet Photographers and Pet Painters
• Dog Trainers, Doggy Daycares, Dog Boarders and Pet Sitters
• Animal Supply Stores and Home Improvement Stores
• Handmade Dog Items and Small Businesses
• Pet Fences and Pet Cleaning Services
• Car Dealerships, Insurance Agencies and More

While Dogtober Fest is free to attend, visitors can purchase activity tickets to try something new or learn a sport. Tickets can be purchased onsite at the ticket booth or online prior to the event. Online registration closes October 19 at noon. Ticket costs are $7 for a single ticket, $12 for two tickets and $4 for each additional ticketed activity. There is something for every dog, regardless of their level of training:

• Canine Adventure Challenge
• Dog Walk
• Agility Fun Runs
• Teacup Agility Fun Runs
• Nose Work Practice Search
• Obedience Show and Go
• Rally Show and Go
• Trick Title Evaluation
• Canine Good Citizen Test
• Frisbee Competition (registration closes at 11:30 am)

For a complete list of activities and event schedule, click on events on the Parks + Rec website makeyourdayhere.com.