BERKELEY – It was a dog day afternoon in the park at this year’s Barktoberfest in Island Beach State Park which featured a variety of canines and hundreds of attendees.
The event hosted by The Friends of Island Beach State Park took place at the IBSP Swimming Area 1.
Among the activities was a K-9 demonstration by the New Jersey Park Police. It also featured a pet expo with vendors and rescue groups, a food concession and more.
The highlight was a pet costume parade with dogs costumed in all manner of attire ranging from superheroes, Disney characters, pirates, pumpkins, Oktoberfest performers, and more. One pooch dressed as Oscar the Grouch from Sesame Street while his owner wore a Big Bird costume and wheeled him around. A trio of dogs got some special manes – their owner dressed as a lion tamer and they were the lions.
Attendee Annette Smith of Toms River had a special campaign going on for her dog Audrey in the form of a hand-written flier she circulated noting that Audrey had been entered in America’s Favorite Pet contest.
The contest allowed for one free vote every 24 hours and her mom set up a Facebook page with a link that would bring voters of her Afghan dog directly to her picture.
Smith added, “the winner wins a two-page spread in “In Touch” magazine and some cash. The page is Jin Jin Jenny Smith.”
Her mom described Audrey as an “amazing dog. She is a certified therapy dog and a Canine Good Citizen rescue. Audrey ended up placing third place in the quarter finals. “She made it really far in this tough competition. She was in the 1% of all animals entered.”
Friends of Island Beach State Park member Stevie Thorsen told The Berkeley Times that “this is our second year running the festival and we had about 40 vendors.
“I organize Barktoberfest as well as the May Day Festival and the Beach Plum Festival. Aside from my position, the Friends of IBSP is volunteer run. The May Day Festival is also pet themed and we have been running that for a few years now,” Thorsen added.
Thorsen said, “all of our events are dog friendly, and it’s fun bringing pet lovers together to celebrate. I was really impressed with how well behaved all of the dogs were.”
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