One Saturday, every October is set aside for Fido and friends. Barktoberfest is held annually from 9am til 2pm and people from all over the valley bring their pooches for a day of fun in the sun. The event is sponsored by the Friends for Life Animal Sanctuary, a nonprofit, no kill animal shelter.

Many different vendors have tables hocking their wares. Dog sitters, vets, dog shops, pet resorts, dog bakeries, the Animal Humane Society, etc. set up shop for the day to educate all of us about our beloved family members.

There are plenty of drinking water bowls and treats for the dogs, as well as shaded areas to relax and a hot dog vendor for a snack. There’s a dog wash and contests such as Most Agile Dog, Best Dressed Dog, Person/Pooch Look-A-Like, Best Trick, Best Manners, Dog & Egg Race and Egg Toss. The Gilbert Police Department also gives a police dog demonstration that’s always amazing.

The event is free to attend, but the dog wash and the raffles require a donation.

I’ve been attending this event for 4 years now and always have a good time. There are so many different breeds of dogs are there to admire. The best dressed dog is my favorite contest and people go all out, dressing up their dogs like angels or devils or horses. It’s crazy.

Feel free to bring a blanket or lawn chair and spend the day dog-watching. All dogs must be leashed and aggressive ones should be muzzled. There are bags available to clean up after your dog and a Frisbee or two is always around for a toss.

I recommend getting there early as it still gets very hot by noon in October. Bring plenty of your own water for you and your pet. Feed your dog before attending--it keeps them from eating all the treats that are available, preventing that awful upset tummy he might get later. (And we all know how awful that is to clean up)

The event is held at a small park on Gilbert Rd., 1 block north of Baseline. Go to www.petfinder.org for more info.