Oct. 24, 2008 — For the eighth year in a row dog owners will have the opportunity to make utter fools of themselves at their dog's expense. Yes, it's Barktoberfest from noon to 6 p.m. Sunday at Bolongo Bay Beach Resort.
The day is one of the Humane Society of St. Thomas' biggest fundraisers — the other money-maker is the annual Doggie Ball in February, a somewhat dressier affair, where the owners dress in their finest and leave the pets at home.
Barktoberfest has become more popular each year, says Stacy Cohen, event chairperson and owner of How 'Bout Your Pet in Yacht Haven Grande.
About those costumes: Last year featured a basset hound in a bright orange lobster outfit; a Chihuahua, scandalous in what looked like a Fredericks of Hollywood lingerie outfit; a passel of small dogs donned in everything imaginable including a costume-winning SpongeBob SquarePants get-up; a cocker-poo dyed a deep blue; and an unadorned miniature Doberman called Katrina, who won second place in the "Adorable" contest simply by tiptoeing around the stage.
There will be a King and Queen of the Valentine's Day Doggie ball contest, an idea launched last year which turned out to be enormously popular. Contestants can have their pictures taken Sunday and posted online where the public can vote. The fee is $5, and can be paid online,
Max, a Lhasa Apso mix with big soulful eyes, won King last year, and owner Erica Benjamin of Erica's Total Beauty salon says he is still lapping up the attention. He has his own fan club with her customers.
Animals from the shelter will be available for adoption. Though there's no charge for the canine celebration, there is a small entry fee for the various contests. There's a raffle, and Humane Society T-shirts will be on sale.
Drinks and food, at Iggy's beach barbeque, will be on sale.
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