Fall Things To Do As We Countdown To Halloween Day 189

Dog Festivals For You and Your Pet In September and October

I was surprised to find a number of dog festivals in the United States.  As the dog days of summer turn into the fun times of fall, I encourage you to try some of these events.  These are not just events that allow dogs.  These are festivals for your dogs.  Many feature parades, stunts, dog Frisbee competitions, and education.

Fredericksburg Dog Fair and Masquerade Dog Parade 2014
Watch the dog festival and parade:

What began in 1728 turned Fredericksburg, Virginia into a city today of 25,000 people.  Every October they hold an annual dog festival.  This year the fair is October 4th, 2014 that features live bands, food, beer, dog races, local vets, a canine casino, and lots more.  Be sure to enter your dog in the featured attraction Masquerade Parade complete with local bands and dog floats.  The one day a year the whole town goes to the dogs.  As a side note the city also holds on September 20-21 a dog expo in the convention center.

Somerville Dog Festival Offers Try It For Boston Pet Lovers
The Boston area has a special dog festival featuring competitions for obedience, agility, tricks, Frisbee, and skateboarding.  Come out and see the dog owners look-a-like contest, the police departments attack dog takedown, a free style dance, and the Little Red Riding Hood Play.  The dog festival is at Trum Field on September 14th, 2014.

Plymouth Barktoberfest Happens On October 4th in Massachusetts
Bring you dog to the look-a-like contest, loudest bark, adoption parade, costume contest, or cutest dog event.  Lots of fun at the Nelson Street Park in Plymouth.

CS Barks Dog Festival in Carol Stream – Illinois
This is a big event on September 14, 2014 in this local Chicago suburb of Carol Stream.  Festival include a kids tent and games, dog agility demonstration and contests, parade of breeds, Weiner dog races, dock diving, Frisbee disc competition, and lots more events.  Now in its 6th year the event usually has more than 5000 attendees.

Chicago Dog Sport Festival August 29-31, 2014
This event is held in St. Anne which is 40 miles south of Chicago.  It features 3 different competitions:  IPO, French Ring, and Personal Protection.

Nashville’s Dog Day Festival at Centennial Park
Be part of the 7500 people who attend this annual event in Nashville, Tennessee.  The Dog Day Festival occurs September 20th, 2014.  A parade starts the activities with the Music City Mutt Strutt.  Events include doggie crafts, art, pet portraits, microchip clinics, training, and K9 contests.  Enjoy lots of music, food, and more.

Bark In The Park San Jose For Dog Lovers
San Jose, California hosts the largest dog festival in the United States.  More than 3,000 dogs and 15,000 people attend Bark in the Park at William Street Park.  Featured are silly dog tricks, costume contest, tail waggin contest, look-a-like, flyball, herding, and many type of demonstrations.  Like any festival they have live music, good food, beverages, and more.  Plan to attend on September 20, 2014.

Canine Frisbee Disc World Finals August 29-30, 2014
Also known as the Ashley Whippet Invitational (AWI), it is the oldest disc dog fun event in the country.  Disc Frisbee tricks began with Alex Stein whose dog was Ashley Whippet.  Stein jumped the wall with Ashley at a Los Angeles Dodgers game and did Frisbee tricks after the 8th inning.  The game was televised and NBC caught the action.  The sport has grown since with competitions around the world.  The Canine Frisbee Disc World Finals happens in Naperville, Illinois.

Hyperlite Skyhoundz World Canine Disc Championship 2014
Another prestigious dog Frisbee event is put on by Skyhoundz.  This year the event is in Chattanooga, Tennessee on September 27-28, 2014.  There are more than 20 qualifying events held around the country.  The World Canine event has championship events for bulls eye, distance, freestyle, spot landing, and more.

Even more Dog Festivals across the U.S.A.
Pooch-A-Palooza – Topsfield, MA – September 6-7, 2014
Pet Rock Festival – Worcester, MA – September 7, 2014
Paws In The Park – Atlanta, GA – October 5, 2014
Pasco Pet Fest – Land o’Lakes, FL – October 4, 2014

These are only a few of the September and October dog festivals held across the country.  There are also dog shows and competitions held all year long.