Oct. 5, 2019

Four-legged friends and their owners are invited to gather for fun, games and competition at Dogtober Fest 2019. This is the 26th year for the annual event presented by Jackson County Parks + Rec.

The 26th Annual Dogtober Fest 2019 will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20 at the Kemper Outdoor Education Center located at 8201 Jasper Bell Road in Blue Springs.

Admission if free with donation of canned or bagged dog food.

All canned and bagged dog food donations will benefit Lee’s Summit Animal Shelter, Midwest Animal ResQ (MARQ) and smaller local rescues. The goal is to collect five tons.

Dogtober Fest 2019 is full of FREE contests and games throughout the day, such as Bobbing for Biscuits, Musical Discs and Roll-Over Races. Don’t miss the beloved Halloween Costume Contest at 1 p.m., featuring three categories: Frightful, Delightful (single or pair entries) and another for groups (3 or more dogs).

Visitors can also participate in the favorite “Tails for Trails Dog-Walk for Parks,” a one-mile walk on the nature trail at Kemper Outdoor Education Center. Registration is $20 in advance or $25 at the gate. Participants will receive a goodie bag and have a chance to win valuable prizes. There are also small entry fees for dog sport competitions, agility clinics and good canine citizen testing.

Back by popular demand is the non-competitive Canine Adventure Challenge. This 20-plus course features obstacles designed to intrigue and build teamwork among dogs and owners. The Canine Adventure Challenge is an on-leash experience. All dogs are welcome to join, whether they have advanced training or no training at all!

In addition to the great activities, guests will enjoy exploring numerous vendor booths featuring pet products, services, breed education and demonstrations for pet owners. Area animal shelters and rescue groups will also be on hand showcasing dogs available for adoption.

The deadline for online registration is fast approaching for owners who want to enter their dogs in select events and competitions. More event details and online registration link are available at www.makeyourdayhere.com/Dogtober.