FILE PHOTO
Furry, four-legged friends take part in the 2017 Bark for Life fundraiser at Stephen Decatur Park in Berlin. The event returns this weekend.

By Morgan Pilz, Staff Writer

(Sept. 27, 2018) Tails will be wagging and people will be walking with their four-legged friends during the second annual Berlin Bark for Life, this Saturday from noon to 5 p.m. at Stephen Decatur Park.

All proceeds from the event go to the American Cancer Society. Last year, $1,500 was raised.

“We’re hoping this year we do a little better,” Event Organizer Dj Thompson said. “[The event] was held the beginning of November last year so we wanted to do it at the end of September to try to get more people. The weather will hopefully be better [as well].”

The cost to attend is $10 per pup.

“Bark for Life is very similar to Relay for Life – it’s a branch of that,” Thompson said. “It’s a little more laid back and we focus on the canines because our mentality is not only people get cancer … animals get cancer as well.

“I lost my cat to cancer in 2012,” he continued. “It made me get more involved with Relay for Life and break into Bark for Life. Often times, the canines are the main caregivers, just coming home after treatment, the dogs are always there to welcome us. Therapy dogs also go into different hospitals and such to ease the pain. It’s to celebrate them while continuing to fight back against cancer.”

After the entry fee, each dog will be presented with a custom Bark for Life bandanna and a gift bag. Participants will also receive a raffle ticket for a door prize.

Registration starts at noon and continues until the opening ceremony, scheduled for 1 p.m. After that, both cancer survivors and caregivers are invited to take a lap around the park. The celebration is expected to end at 1:30 p.m., signifying the beginning of the “Best Kiss” competition, which is a dogs-only contest.

“It’s a little different because it’s generally centered around dogs and the pets and it’s just a fun time for them to get out,” Thompson said. “Especially considering how the weather has been [lately], it’s a chance for them to get out before winter comes.”

The “toss me a bone” contest will begin at 2:15 p.m. Each participant will receive one free bone, additional ones can be purchased.

Following at 2:45 p.m., the dogs-only costume parade and contest starts and runs until 3 p.m. Dog owners come back for 15 minutes from 3:30-3:45 p.m. for a musical sit, a canine-only version of musical chairs, which makes way for the pet talent show and lookalike contest until 4 p.m.

The talent show features several divisions: oldest, youngest, largest, smallest, best wag, best trick, best behaved and best look-a-like.

Next, owners and pets are scheduled to compete in a musical sitting game until 4:30 p.m., when the closing ceremony begins.

More than 30 local vendors will offer a variety of goods for sale, and children’s activities are also planned.

“We have different vendors there, some of them are for humans, but others specialize in pets, like collars and leashes, different vendors in the area specific for them,” Thompson said. “It’s something a little more unique and tailored toward them opposed to general craft fairs where it’s all people stuff.”

Bark for Life is co-organized by Stephen Decatur High School Relay for Life team. A portion of the proceeds will go toward the team.

The event is expected to end at 5 p.m. Attendees must clean up after their animals. Event organizers require proof of rabies vaccination and leashes shorter than six feet long for all canine competitors.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/BarkForLifeBerlin.