Looking for a way to spend some quality time with your favorite canine? The award winning Freedom Bark Park in Lowell has dished up a day of doggie delights for region pet lovers. Designated the best dog park in the country by Dog Fancy Magazine, the fenced, off-leash dog park will host the Fido Fall Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 17.
The festival marks the park's one year anniversary, and showcases a number of additions in the past year.
"This year has been one of establishing the rest of the dog park with phase two fencing and the doubling of the small dog park as well," said park chair Roberta Thomas. "We will be building a new shelter in this phase and finishing the beautiful landscape design with Pam Camp."
Camp donated her time and expertise to implement a wide range of textures, colors and focal points with the use of plants, including a prairie and a pine forest. The group of nine coordinators and numerous volunteers added a tetherball station and a double sand pit, and are looking for ways and the means to add more activity stations to the park.
"One of our goals is to purchase the battery back-up to our solar well so we can extend the use of water into the evening as the sun is setting," Thomas said.
Activities include a silent auction, raffles, pet costume contest and parade and face painting. Food will be available. Father Dennett Jung of the San Damiano Friary in Cedar Lake and St. Mary's Catholic Church, Crown Point, will offer a pet blessing at 12:30 p.m.
Registration for the Pet Parade & Costume Contest begins at 10 a.m., with parade kicking off at 11 a.m. Prizes will be awarded in each of three size divisions, and additional awards will be given for Most Creative Costume and Owner Dog Look Alike. A Top Dog grand prize will be awarded for the overall best costume.
Freedom Bark Park member Sharon Hylek said the grounds will offer up a host of vendors, area animal shelter representatives, rescue organizations and veterinary services. "The rescues and shelters will offer information about their organizations. Pet related businesses bring products to sell, as well as literature about their business," she said. "There will be a very diverse group of vendors - all focused on pets."
Dogs are invited to this event on leash and will also be allowed to play off leash in the fenced areas. The event committee consists of Roberta Thomas, chairperson; Heather Hamilton, secretary; Rebecca Salter, DVM, treasurer; Shelley Becker, event coordinator; Pam Camp, landscape designer; Karen Stein, historian; Sharon Hylek, Brian Norton, DVM, Millie Norton and Lynn Vasco.
Freedom Bark Park is now offering daily, monthly and annual passes with a half-year pass available after July 1 each year. Proof of current vaccinations is required.
Fido Fall Fair, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 17.
WHERE: Freedom Bark Park, 17105 Cline Ave., Lowell
FYI: (219) 696-1570; freedombarkpark.org will host its second annual Fido Fall Fair from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. Oct. 17.
Now offering daily, monthly and annual passes with a half-year pass available after July 1 each year. Proof of current vaccinations is required.
