Pooch paradise: Two canine-friendly fundraisers return to Tuscaloosa this weekend

Jasmine Hollie, The Tuscaloosa News
·2 min read

Dogs will rule this weekend in Tuscaloosa.

Two separate events, Puppy Palooza and Bark in the Park, will have a variety of attractions for pet owners while raising money for pet-related causes in Tuscaloosa.

This is the second year that Midtown Village, 1800 McFarland Blvd. E, has hosted the Puppy Palooza, which is scheduled from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Friday on its village green, the open space between Panera Bread and Barnes & Noble. The event, which benefits the West Alabama Humane Society, will feature live music, a puppy photo booth, face painting, a caricature artist and a bounce house.

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“With more than 1,000 attendees last year, this event is definitely a personal favorite at Midtown Village,” saidHollyann Bemis, marketing associate at Crawford Square Real Estate Advisors. “We know that pets are importantmembers of the family and should be celebrated, too.”

The event will feature more than 25 pup-friendly vendors including Hand In Paw, Fosters Veterinary Clinic, Blind Dog Biscuit, The Wizard of Paws LLC, Adams Beverages, Wags to Riches Pet Photography and more.

Tuscaloosa's "Puppy Palooza" is set for Friday at Midtown Village.
Tuscaloosa's "Puppy Palooza" is set for Friday at Midtown Village.

The West Alabama Humane Society and the Metro Animal Shelter will be on-site with dogs available for adoption.

Bark University, a Tuscaloosa-based dog training facility will also be on-site hosting a talent show. Pets can be entered to win prizes based on their talent and tricks.

For more information, go to https://midtownvillagetuscaloosa.com/event/puppy-palooza/

The annual Bark in the Park event will be held 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the Will May Dog Park at Sokol Park, 6198 Watermelon Road.

All proceeds from the event will go to the upkeep, maintenance and improvement of the Will May Dog Park, which opened in 2013.

Marissa Blazer plays with her dogs Chewie and Lando during the Bark in the Park event at Sokol Park Saturday, April 23, 2022.
Marissa Blazer plays with her dogs Chewie and Lando during the Bark in the Park event at Sokol Park Saturday, April 23, 2022.

The event will include a pet parade, a K-9 dog exhibition, a children's area, food trucks, a DJ, non-profit rescue groups with dogs available for adoption, a dog photo booth and more.

Admission is free for all dogs and their owners, but donations will be accepted. The first 500 people to arrive will receive free swag bags.

Activities for the family will include face-painting, cookie decorating and a cornhole contest. There will also be music and food trucks from Urban Cookhouse, A Family Affair, Archibald's BBQ, BobaMania and Cajun Cream.

More information can be found on the Tuscaloosa Bark In The Park Facebook page.

Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Two canine-friendly fundraisers return to Tuscaloosa this weekend