Bark in the park: Residents enjoy second annual Barktoberfest
Published 2:24 pm Monday, October 17, 2016
- A St. Benard named Bella is being walked around by Elijah Hill at the second annual Barktoberfest on Oct. 15 in Helena. (Reporter Photo/Keith McCoy)
By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer
HELENA–Food trucks, vendors and plenty of four-legged friends were on display at the Helena Amphitheater on Saturday, Oct. 15, as Two-by-Two Animal Rescue hosted the second annual Barktoberfest.
Dog owners with breeds of all shapes and sizes enjoyed the beautiful fall weather and plenty of sunshine that drenched the park on Oct. 15 for the free event.
Some of the highlights of the event included dog adoptions, a dog wash, discounted vaccinations and microchip clinic, vendors, food trucks, bake sale, gift shop, photo booth, flyball demonstrations, a kids zone featuring pony rides and trackless train, Two-by-Two Rescue celebrity dogs, a football tailgate party area with TVs and live music.
One of those in attendance was Tony Cox, who traveled from the Over the Mountain area to Helena to enjoy the event with his dog Brutus.
“This is my first time coming to this event and it’s been great,” said Cox. “This is a beautiful area and there’s been so much to do. We actually adopted our dog from Two-by-Two a few years ago.”
There was also plenty of fun things available for dogs that included an off leash play area, treats for dogs, an area to bathe your dog and plenty of chances for dogs to interact with other breeds.
The celebrity dogs in attendance were Woody, Clarence, Chicken, Mr. Grumplestein and Willow.
Two by Two Animal Rescue is a 501 C (3) not-profit, no-kill organization. Two By Two began in 2002 when Sonya Smith began feeding strays in Old Town Helena, according to their website.
She noticed another concerned citizen had been leaving food for them too and placed a note in a bowl. The note was found. They met and combined their efforts to rescue the many stray dogs dodging traffic.
For more information on Two by Two, visit Twobytworescue.com.
- Ryan Vincent with his son Carter get a chance to pet one of horses.
- Candy Warren with her dogs Roscoe and Penny.
- Nelson a member of the Birmingham Bandits runs the flyball course.
- Bella runing the flyball course.
- Aebrey Williamson takes a turn holding one of the many chihuahuas at this years event.
- Guiness, a 3 year old Pit Bull mix was just one of the many dogs available for adoption.
- Jessica Redmon with her doggy wagon pulled by her trusted dog Bandit with Kallie and Daisey riding in the back.
- Stacie Humphrey with her doggy Pup Pup.
- Valentino, a greyhound adopted by Jamie Lisella from the BIrmingham Race Course.
- Kristen McClain with her great dane Gibson.
- Kristen McClain with her great dane Gibson.
- Ready for the pony ride is Meagan Bell with her son Mason and Tonya Masoner.
- Music and entertainment were provided all day long.
- Maizy enjoys a little time in the sade with her owners Harper and Tracy Cribb.
- Susan Palm and Jesse Miles work the tent for one of the main sponsors for this years event, Two by Two Rescue.
- Mollymae and GiGi enjoy riding in style.
- Emily from Emily’s Furtastic Dog Grooming with her dog GiGi who has been styled and hair dyed to look like gingerbread cookie.
- Recue english bulldogs Tank, Saban and Chelsea Rocke.