30th Annual Bark In The Park Set To Take Place In Tampa

TAMPA, FL – For the 30th year, dogs of all sizes – and their friends – will have a chance to strut their stuff along downtown Tampa’s Riverwalk for a good cause.

Bark in the Park is set to take place Saturday, March 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, located at 600 N. Ashley Drive. The event is one of the largest fundraisers of the year for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

The highlight of the event is a one-mile walk featuring individuals and teams of fundraisers, along with dogs of all shapes and sizes. Much like the Relay for Life, Bark in the Park walk participants can enter individually, by forming a “pack” or by joining an existing pack.

“Not only is (Bark in the Park) a fantastically fun event for animal lovers across Tampa Bay, but the money we raise helps us save more than 8,000 homeless animals every year,” said Ornella Varchi, the special events manager for the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

Money and donations raised through Bark in the Park provide shelter, food spay/neuter services and medical care for thousands of animals that are relinquished to the Humane Society of Tampa Bay shelter each year.

This year’s event will also feature more than 70 vendors and rescue groups, craft beers and wine, food trucks, live music by Stereo FM, pet costume contests, the Doggie Fun Zone and pop-up dog park, face painting, balloons for children and more. The event will be hosted by Fox 13’s Jennifer Epstein, Lindsay Milbourne and Walter Allen.

New for this year will be a pre-event Mimosas & Sweets VIP tent for families who have adopted from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay, sponsors and VIPs.

Admission to Bark in the Park is $20 for non-fundraising participants, and free for dogs and children younger than 12.

For more information about Bark in the Park or how to register to participate in the event’s fundraising walk, visit http://barkintheparktampa.com/.

Images courtesy of the Humane Society of Tampa Bay