Your Four-Legged Pal Meets Your Two-Legged Pals: A Guide to Dog Friendly Festivals

Contribution from freelance writer Jenny Holt

Do you dread leaving your dog at home while you go out to have fun? Millions of people have this same feeling and have therefore created dog-friendly festivals so that your four-legged friend can hang out with your two-legged friends. You’ll never have to leave him home alone again. 

Elements of Dog Friendly Festivals

First off, you need to know what to look for when attending a dog-friendly event. An event that caters to the needs of your pawed pal, should have the essential “Pup-Menities”. This includes easy access to clean water, doggy snacks, shaded areas away from the sun, and waste bags. Dog-friendly events and festivals should also avoid chocolate, loud noises and fireworks. The latter are terrifying and disorienting to dogs, which may cause them to flee or act up. Additionally, chocolate, as most of us know, is not good for dogs and even when the chocolate seems out of reach, dogs tend to be smarter than us when it comes to seeking out sweet treats. If you avoid these items and make sure there is access to Pup-Menities, you and your dog are sure to have a wonderful event. Here are some annual dog-friendly events you could try out:

Dog Day Festival in Tennessee

Nashville’s Humane Association hosts an annual Dog Day Festival in September, where all proceeds help homeless animals. This event celebrates man and his best four-legged friends by bringing everyone together for a paw-tastic day filled with food and furry fun. Activities include contests, doggie arts and crafts, pet portraits, games, delicious food, and music for all. This year the event will be held on September 16^th.

Bark in the Park

Bark in the Park is the paw-fect festival for dog lovers and their best friends. It is the largest dog festival in the United States and on September 16, 2017, you can be a part of the fun too. Bark in the Park is known for its contests so dress up with your doggie pal and try out for the “Pet/Owner Look Alike Contest”. If that’s not your thing, you can participate in the agility and training competitions, enjoy the musical guests, shop till you drop, or try out all the delicious food and drinks in the food court.

Music and Cuisine Festivals

Do you enjoy going to music, beer, or food festivals? Well now you can take your dog with you to sample some beers or jam out to some rocking music. There are plenty of dog-friendly events in your local area, so just make sure you watch your pawed friends, clean up after them, and have some fun.

Puppy 5Ks

Maybe you are a runner, or need some extra motivation to get out there and exercise. Well now you and your dog can train together. In the last couple of years, races have focused on getting the whole family out to run, and Fido is no exception. Find a race near you and keep you and your dog healthy while supporting a great cause!

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