The New Barker (www.thenewbarker.com/Events.htm) is certainly the Howl-O-Ween Headquarters for dog-friendly Fall Events. Dog-friendly farmer’s markets are almost in full swing for the season now, including Downtown Bradenton. The New Barker has partnered with Realize Bradenton, an organization of arts, culture and heritage to host Dogs Dig Bradenton. These dog-friendly events begin this Saturday, October 16 and will run one Saturday a month through Spring, 2011 at the Downtown Bradenton Farmer’s Market. The farmer’s market itself runs every Saturday.
Also this Saturday, it’s the SPCA of Tampa Bay’s 20th Annual 3K Pet Walk in Straub Park, in beautiful Downtown St. Petersburg on the waterfront. This is another great setting with lots of vendors and thousands of dog lovers walking for a cause.
Beginning this Saturday through Sunday October 31, it’s the 9th Annual Pumpkin Patch in Tampa’s Hyde Park Village. Proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. The piece de resistance is on October 23 when Downtown Dogs co-hosts its annual Hyde Park Masquerade. Call Downtown Dogs at 813.250.DOGS to reserve your spot on the roster. This is always a fun event.
Sunday, October 17 at the Museum of Arts and Sciences in Daytona Beach, The New Barker is co-hosting Dog Day at the Museum for the exhibition, WOOF! Art of the Dog. The museum is located at 352 S. Nova Road, Daytona Beach. Dogs and humans can stroll the grounds and admire the outdoor sculptures. Dog sitters will be available for humans who would like to go inside the museum to see artwork by dog artists including William Wegman and George Rodrigue.
Did you know that our Doggie DNA enables The New Barker to be in multiple places at one time this weekend? Well, that and thanks to a bevy of Rover Reporters who love covering Dog Stories for us. So, we’ll also be at the festivities this Sunday, October 17 during the Open House at the Upper Suncoast Dog Training Club in Clearwater from 10a – on, at 2101 Logan Street, Clearwater. Call 727.449.8738. Come out to see agility demos and dancing with dogs. Really. Dancing. With DOGS. And it’s all free.
Save These Dates: Here’s The Dog-Down on the most celebrated Halloween Events of the Season:
October 23 – The New Barker, along with Paw Paws Pet Boutique in Countryside Mall, hosts the first ever Spooktabulous Pet Costume Contest, benefiting the Humane Society of Pinellas. Registration starts at 10:30a. There will be a bevy of prizes for the winners. Call 727.726.7299 or visit www.humanesocietyofpinellas.org to pre-register.
October 23 – Hyde Park Pet Masquerade, co-hosted by Downtown Dogs. Registration begins at 10a. The event benefits the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. Great venue with some of the most creatively original costumes around. Call 813.250.DOGS for more information.
October 23 – Happy Dal-loween and Fall Festi-Dal, hosted by Dalmatian Rescue of Tampa Bay. This polka-dots-and-moonbeam event is never spotty in its fun, food, games, raffle prizes and overall furvolity. The event starts at 10:30am and goes on until 3p at Lake Park, 17302 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz. www.dalrescuetampabay.org
October 23 – The folks at Groovy Cats and Dogs in Carrollwood are at it again with their annual Groovy Monster Bash from 6p-9p. Reserve your tickets now to celebrate Dia de los Muertos with delicious food and drink. Proceeds will benefit Lost Angels Animal Rescue. Make that Groovy call to 813.265.1333. It could change your (social) life.
October 23 – The Jacksonville Dog Fanciers Association and The New Barker present the Third Annual Hallow-WOOF from 9am-4pm at the club’s Activity Site, 6932 Morse Avenue, Jacksonville. Free parking and free admission. Call Pat at 904.693.0837 for more information. Established in 1939, this club is one of Florida’s oldest AKC All-Breed Dog Clubs in the state. That’s worth the price of admission (Free).
October 23 – The SPCA of Central Florida hosts its 10th Annual Wiggle Waggle Walk from 9a-1p at Cranes Roost Park in Uptown Altamonte. They’re already halfway to their fundraising goal of $80,000. What are you waiting for? Wiggle on over and start walking. Help the SPCA of Central Florida meet their goal. Visit www.OrlandoPets.org
October 23 – The Humane Society of Sarasota County hosts their 13th Annual Howl-O-Ween Dog Parade. Visit www.hssc.org to pre-register. Remember to bring an unopened bag or can of dog food for their Food Pantry.
October 23 – Germain BMW of Naples hosts Strut Your Mutt, billed as Naples’ Premier Halloween Pet Costume Contest. Festivities begin at 11a and go on until 2p at the dealership, 11286 Tamiami Trail N. Celebrity judges include Naples Mayor Bill Barnett. Vendors and lunch. Proceeds will benefit the Humane Society of Naples.
October 23 – The Tavares Hush Puppy Dog Parade in Wooten Park, Downtown Tavares is going to be a happening event. Festivities begin at 3p with hayrides, pumpkin patch, farmers market, splash park and later that evening at 7:30 – Grammy Award Winner, Buckwheat Zydeco brings some fabulous Cajun music to the park. Co-hosted by The Green K9 and The New Barker. Visit www.thegreenk9.com or call 352.253.5205.
October 24 – Pet Food Warehouse is hosting its annual Fall Pet Fest from Noon until 2p at 6155 18th Street North in St. Petersburg. Come check out their newly renovated and expanded storefront. Registration begins at 1:30. These folks are serious about their Pet Costume Contest: Three Grand Prizes of $500, $300 and $200 in Pet Food Warehouse Gift Certificates will be handed out. All proceeds will benefit the SPCA Tampa Bay.
October 24 – It’s the 6th Annual BarktoberFest, a fundraiser for Paws Park at Jacksonville Beach. For more info, visit www.pawsparkjaxbeach.com
October 27 – Hyde Park Village and Downtown Dogs present a very dog-friendly Live Music Concert Series. Proceeds benefit the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.
October 28 – This is a big day for Halloween and Dog Lovers. Fluffy Puppies hosts its 4th Annual Bark-O-Ween Party and Costume Contest. Co-sponsored by The New Barker, this hair-raising good time will be at O’Keefe’s Tavern, 1219 S. Ft. Harrison in Clearwater, from 6p-9p with celebrity judges and Kristen Levine, Wizard of Paws for Fetching Communications, emceeing. Visit www.barkoween.com for the registration form. Specials on yummy drinks and food. Proceeds will benefit Dunedin Dog Rescue.
October 28 – One Lucky Dog Yappy Hour and Halloween Celebration. Kick back and join your friends for some serious fun and shopping this evening from 5p-8p, at 5320 4th Street North, St. Petersburg. There will be great specials on Halloween costumes too. Call 727.527.5825 or visit www.shoponeluckydog.com
October 28 – Pawsitively Posh Pooch is hosting a Pawsitively Posh Halloween Costume Party during their Yappy Hour event, 6p-8p. Free wine, beer and delicious appetizers are always served. Prizes will be awarded for: Funniest, Scariest and Most Original costumes. Humans are encouraged to dress up too for a chance to win the Best Human Costume Contest. Donations are requested for Pet Pal Animal Shelter. Call 727.892.9303. The store, with a fab, bigger-than-life dog painting in the window by local artist Robert Phelps, is located at 1425 4th Street North, St. Petersburg.
October 29 – Head to St. Pete Beach because Halloween has Gone to the Dogs. The Howl-O-Ween Costume Contest event is from 5p-8p. The grand prize for the best dog costume? A three day, two night stay at the dog-friendly TradeWinds Island Grand Resort on St. Pete Beach. Gone to the Dogs is located at 310 Corey Avenue, St. Pete Beach. Co-sponsored by The New Barker.
October 29 – The Humane Society of Manatee County presents A Tail Wagging Tail Gate Party from 6:30p-10:30p at the beautiful Palma Sola Botanical Gardens, 9800 17th Ave., NW Bradenton. Co-sponsored by The New Barker.
October 30 – Stride for Strays. Take a step and help save the life of a dog or cat. From 8a-1p at Al Lopez Park, 4810 N. Himes in Tampa. All proceeds benefit Animal Coalition of Tampa (ACT) a low cost spay/neuter clinic. Call 813.250.1234. Co-sponsored by The New Barker, this is one fundraising event not to be missed this year.
Visit www.stride.actampa.org
October 30 – The 2nd Annual Bay to Bay Stroll, presented by Nicole Geller Photography. For the second year in a row, this talented artist single-handedly organizes a great event with proceeds going to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay and the Susan G. Koman Cancer Foundation. Contact Nicole at 813.837.4786.
October 30 – In-DOG-Nito and Paws on Parade, Tom Varn Park, 301 Darby Lane, Brooksville. Call 352.686.9485.
October 30 – Fright Night, St. Armands Circle. Wet Noses Boutique tells us this will be the largest dog-friendly Halloween event in all of Sarasota. The event is from 6p-9p with a special performance of Michael Jackson’s Thriller by the Sarasota High School Drama Department. Kids and dogs can Trick or Treat around the Circle. Traveling to St. Armands for the event? Make reservations at the dog-friendly Hotel Indigo in Downtown Sarasota. Get up the next morning and visit one of the most beautiful Farmer’s Markets in Florida.
Events are being added daily, so be sure to check back often to www.thenewbarker.com/Events.htm. It’s also a good idea to become part of The New Barker Facebook page. And you can subscribe to The New Barker, Florida’s top dog lifestyle magazine by going online.
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