Celebrate Man's Best Friend at Huntley's Dog-tober Fest

Dog-tober Fest is making a return to Deicke Park this weekend, for another year of celebrating man’s best friend.

The free family and pet event hosts over 50 rescues, shelters, humane organization, pet retail, pet service and pet food vendors gathering from 12 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 6 at Deicke Park. The park is located on Route 47 approximately three miles north of  I-90.  

Dog-tober Fest focuses on the important relationship between families and their pets while bringing attention to the needs of animals in our local area.

“I’m excited to be celebrating the 4th year of this special event”, says Pat Schinka, co-chair and founder of Dog-tober Fest. “We'll have a full afternoon of fun for dog lovers young and old! We are so humbled by the support our event receives from the community.”

“Last year we saw over 500 people participate in Dog-tober Fest and hope to see more people this year,” Schinka said. “Our charitable raffle continues to be my favorite part of the event.  Our incredible vendors and sponsors donate all of our items for raffle. The money generated through the raffle will be donated to a rescue, shelter or other humane organization randomly chosen the end of the event.  It’s our way of giving back and supporting those who can’t speak for themselves.”

This year’s event will host a variety of fun and entertaining demonstrations including the exhilarating sports of disc dogging, fly ball and canine agility. Returning for a fourth year, in commemoration of St. Francis of Assisi Day (Oct 4th), Rev. Michelle McNamara from St John's UCC Church in Marengo will be hosting a blessing of the animals at 1:30pm.  

Dog-tober Fest will also fun have contests for you and your dog and great raffle prizes to help raise money for a lucky non-profit group at our event. There will be photos with your best friend, pet and human apparel, doggy massages and canine companions of all sizes and breeds looking for forever homes.

“As a sports nut and a dog lover, you can imagine how excited I am to bring not just one but multiple Canine Sporting demonstrations to this year’s event,” said Kim Ashbaugh, co-chair of Dog-tober Fest.

The Midwest Disc Dog Club will be here at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. to show off their high-flying championship disc dogs, Ashbaugh said. Four Legs Pets’ training team will be here to introduce audiences to their speedy fly ball dogs, their athletic agility dogs and their hard working scent detection dogs.

“Then, to top it all off, the West Burb Wieners Dachshund Rescue are bringing out their ‘Racing Wiener’s Team’ to entertain the crowd as they compete for the title of Dog-tober Fest’s Fastest Dog,” Ashbaugh said.

Admission and parking are free.  There will be food and beverages available for purchase. For more information on Dog-tober Fest visit our Huntley Dog-tober Fest’s website.

Official Schedule of Events

Dog-tober Fest 2012

Baseball Diamond Activities Schedule

12:00pm

Flyball

12:30pm

Disc Dogs

1:00pm

Agility

2:00pm

Flyball

2:30pm

Disc Dogs

3:00pm

Scent Detection

3:15pm

Doxie Races

Event Lawn Schedule

12:30pm

Peanut Butter Eating Contest

1:15pm

Temptation Tower

2:15pm

Crazy Balls

3:00pm

Peanut Butter Eating Contest

Other Activities Scheduled

Pond

1:30pm

Pet Blessing (Pond)

Raffle Table

3:30pm

Raffle Winners Announced

3:45pm

NFP Raffle Winner Announced