Co-sponsored last year by PAWS, Bark in the Park is now hosted by Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance and Lower Allen Township. The Lower Allen Community Park and Doggie Dugout (dog park) serve as the beautiful venue for the day's activities.

in recognition of National Homeless Animals Day

Free admission! Bring the family -- including the four-legged members -- to the region’s premier outdoor pet event. It’s a full day of family fun to benefit the Lower Allen Doggie Dugout and raise awareness of the plight of area homeless animals.

A Blessing of the Animals at 11 a.m. kicks off the activities, followed by a parade of adoptable animals, demonstrations, children's activities and more. Stop by the park and enter to win a great door prize, including one of two sessions with Pam Saylor, pet communicator, or a canine accupressure consultation with Ginny Blue.

Bark in the Park features
Adoption Central - Animal rescues and shelters will have dozens of homeless animals on hand -- all looking for permanent homes. Talk to representatives about what animal is right for your family and tips for bringing a new pet into your home. For current pet owners, groups will have information on reduced-fee spay/neuter programs.

American Fido Finals - Is your dog a diamond in the ruff? The last open audition and the finals for CPAA's American Fido will be held at Bark in the Park and hosted by BOB 94.9's Brian McKay. If your pooch sings for his supper or howls at the moon, he may be our next star. Prizes include a dog bowl set, $100 gift certificate to Golden Lake, $25 gift certificate to Teg's Canine Clipper, large homemade pet blanket, dog frisbee, leash and collar set, toys and treats.

Camp Canine - Humane Education volunteers from CPAA will teach kids techniques for proper pet care and handling.

Demonstrations - Summit Search and Rescue, freestyle (dancing with your dog), agility, pet theray, animal communication, canine accupressure, Capitol Police K-9 Explosives Detection demonstration, and more.

Contests and Children’s Activities - Musical mats, bobbing for hot dogs, face painting and more for your pooch and kids. If you favoriate canine is in need of a makeover or hasn't had a trim in awhile, he's a candidate for the Ugliest Dog Contest. The winner receives a grooming gift certificate to Winding Hill Veterinary Groomers.

Off-leash Area - One enclosed park will be available for public use throughout the day.

Participants to date:
Above & Beyond English Setter Rescue
Animal House & Company, Inc.
Bad Press
Brookline Labrador Retriever Rescue
Canine Rescue of Central PA
Capitol Police K-9 Explosives Dectection Representatives
Castaway Critters
Central Pennsylvania Animal Alliance
Cocker Spaniel Adoption Center, Inc.
Dachshund Rescue of N.A. Inc.
Dennis Keller, pastor, Camp Hill United Methodist Church
The Dog's Den
Doggie Delights
Doggie U
Douglas Gibboney, author, Bussie's Book
Elaine Shafer-Stroud, pastor, Grace United Methodist Church, Mechanicsburg
Furry Friends Network
Ginny Blue, canine accupressure
Gold Heart Golden Retreiver Rescue
Humane Society Harrisburg of Harrisburg Area
Invisible Fence
Jerry Nailor, State Representative
K-9 Kleanup
The K9 Cafe & Campus
Karen Steinrock, pet columnist, Harrisburg Patriot News and Allentown Morning Call
Keystone Greyhounds
Keystone Pet-Enhanced Therapy Services
Knowledge Learning Corporation
Linda's Canine Kitchen
Lower Allen Township/Doggie Dugout
Rev. Barbara Mason, LPN, Animal Communicator, Reiki Master
& Rev. Nancy Stuart, NLP Practitioner, Reiki Master
Mid-Atlantic Great Dane Rescue League
Northeast Pekingese Rescue
Pampered Pet Ltd.
Parks for Pooches
PAWS
Paws 4 Praise
Personalized Greyhounds
The Posh Pooch
Pamela Saylor, Animal Communication
Summit Search & Rescue
Teg Smith
Theatre Harrisburg
Valerie Pritchett
York County Dog Training Club

Animal organizations invited to participate!
10' x 10' booth space is $20 for nonprofits. Booths will be set up on grass, and groups will need to bring their own tent or shelter (for shade), tables, chairs, etc. The event will be held rain or shine. Groups can bring animals for adoption, however, no adoptions can be finalized on site. To reserve your space, please email Mauri at mlovelace@blazenet.net or Karen at KAREN_MACKAY@lower-allen.pa.us or click here for an application.

Vendor and Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
Animal-Friendly Vendors: Looking for animal lovers? Here's your chance to reach local pets and the people who love them. Your sponsorship or exhibitor booth fee will help preserve and maintain the Lower Allen Doggie Dugout, the region’s first public off-leash dog park. For information, please email Mauri at mlovelace@blazenet.net or Karen at KAREN_MACKAY@lower-allen.pa.us or click here for an application.

Schedule of events*
11:00 am  Event opens
11:15 Dog Park Rules/Lower Allen Township
11:30 Remarks by Representative Jerry Nailor
11:40 Blessing of the Animals, Dennis Keller, pastor, Camp Hill UMC
11:45 Adorable Adoptables Waggin' Train parade of adoptable animals with Valerie Pritchett, ABC Channel 27
12:00 - 12:30 pm Capitol Police K9 Explosives Detection demonstration
12:30 - 1:00 Summit Search & Rescue bloodhounds
1:00 - 1:20 Pet therapy presentation/KPETS
1:30 - 1:45 Agility demonstration/York County Dog Training Club
1:45 - 2:00 Dancing with your dog demonstration/KPETS
2:00 - 2:10 Ugliest Dog contest
2:15 - 2:30 Agility demonstration/York County Dog Training Club
2:30 - 3:00 Pet communication/Pam Saylor
3:00 - 4:00 American Fido Semifinals/Host Brian MacKay, BOB 94.4
4:00 - 4:30 Canine acupressure demonstration/Ginny Blue
4:30 - 5:00 Summit Search & Rescue bloodhounds
5:00 - 6:00 American Fido Finals with host Brian MacKay, BOB 94.4
6:00 - 6:30
6:30 - 6:45 Musical matts
6:45 - 7:00 Adorable Adoptables Waggin' Train parade of adoptable animals
7:00 Candlelight Ceremony in recognition of National Homeless Animals Day
Elaine Shafer-Stroud, pastor, Grace United Methodist Church, Mechanicsburg
*some portions of the schedule subject to change.

Have a question about your pet's behavior or appearance?
Here's your chance to ask the pros at Bark in the Park's "Ask the Expert" booth:
11:00 am - 1:00 pm Animal House & Company Inc., grooming
1:00 - 3:00 Teg Smith, grooming
3:00 - 5:00 Karen Steinrock, columnist, Patriot News & Allentown Morning Call Pet Column

Kids' Activities
1:00 - 4:00 Face Painting
1:30 - 2:30 Bussey's Book reading by author Doug Gibboney
Camp Canine - throughout the day

Directions to the Lower Allen Community Park are available on Lower Allen Township's website at www.lower-allen.pa.us