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It’s time to get your bark on with San Jose’s annual Bark in the Park, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 15.
Billed as the largest dog festival in the country, all the barking covers a large neighborhood park with family-friendly events, contests, beverages, food, agility courses, children’s activities and more than 75 dog-related vendors and services.
Admission is $5 for adults, but children and dogs get in free. Proceeds from donations benefit the Humane Society Silicon Valley, San Jose Animal Care Center and other local charities. The action takes place at William Street Park, corner of East William and South 16th streets in downtown San Jose.
What began as a small neighborhood event 22 years ago, “now attracts thousands of dog lovers and provides an opportunity for families and their four-legged pals to enjoy a day together while raising funds for charity,” says John Turner, president of the Campus Community Association, which organizes Bark in the Park.
If your pooch needs vaccinations and microchipping, you can get both at bargain prices, provided by Pet Awareness and Welfare Society for San Jose Animal Care Services. And if you and your dog get too hot, you can visit the misting tent provided by San Jose Water.
The popular Kids Entertainment Zone returns with two new additions, Storytelling by Edith of the San Jose Public Library, and Doga (Dogs and Yoga) by Jake’s Wish Dog Rescue. There will also be a kid’s agility course, puppy make-over packages (face painting and more), and a dog-themed bounce house.
New to dog ownership? Check out the “Dog Owner in Training” demonstrations that offer children and families tips on the basics of dog ownership, as well as demonstrations on how to be a better dog owner, how to teach a dog simple tricks, how to approach dogs and how to read a dog’s behavior.
Here is a list of event, times and locations.
Adobe Animal Hospitals Main Stage Events
- 11 a.m. Pet Owner Look-A-like Contest
- Noon Dog Costume Contest
- 1 p.m. Tail Wagging Contest
- 2 p.m. Santa Clara County Sheriff Search and Rescue K9 Unit presentation
Kids Entertainment Zone (events are ongoing)
- Kid’s Agility Course
- Puppy make-over packages (face paint and more!)
- Big Bulldog Bounce House
- Story time with Edith from San Jose Pubic Library
- Kids and Dogs Safety Sessions presented by Puppets by Canine Higher Learning
- Pet Care Explained by See Spot Run
- Petting Station courtesy of Golden Gate Basset Rescue
- Meet and Greet with Downtown Dog, Sam’s Downtown Feed and Pet Supply mascot
San Jose Water Company Agility Corral
- 10:30 a.m. Fetch Sam Agility 2:45-2:30 pm
- 11:15 a.m. Bark Attendee Agility Time
- 1:30 p.m. Fetch Sam Agility
- 2:30 p.m. Bark Attendee Agility Time
- 3:15 p.m. Bark Attendee Agility Time
Silicon Valley Vet Entertainment Corral
- 10:15 a.m. SkyyDogs USA
- 11:45 a.m. California K-9
- 12:15 p.m. SkyyDogs USA
- 1:15 p.m. California K-9 Free Group Class (must register at corral)
- 1:45 p.m. SkyyDogs USA
- 2:45 p.m. California K-9
- 3:45 p.m. SkyyDogs USA
Naglee Park Sheepherding Corral
- Cutters Quarters Border Collies sheepherding performance
- Bark Attendees sheepherding time (must register at corral)
Follow Bark in the Park on Twitter and join the Bark in the Park San Jose Facebook page.
