Calling all dog lovers! It’s time to fluff up your best friends and show them off at the 15th Annual Bark in the Park, coming up Saturday, Sept. 22, at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, located at the end of Jeff Davis Boulevard. Events begin at 11 a.m. and there will be plenty of refreshments and fun for the whole family.

Bark in the Park is a fundraiser for the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society and all proceeds benefit our local animal shelter. Entrance fees will be $4 for adults and $1 for children age 6 and under (doggies get in for free). For everyone’s safety, we must insist that all dogs have a current rabies tag and be on a leash and under control.

Bark in the Park is the Miss-Lou’s most important dog show, and there will be plenty of opportunities for you to show off your four-footed pal’s unique talents. Any and all breeds are welcome to participate. Contests cost $2 per entry and proud winners will take receive gorgeous trophies to display at home.

Contest categories include: Most Handsome Male, Most Beautiful Female, Cutest Puppy (aged 6 weeks to 4 months), Best Costume, Most Friendly, Most Talented, and Best All-Around Mutt. This year we’ve added special contests for “Mr. And Ms. NACHS” to honor pets that were adopted from our Natchez shelter. Almost 200 dogs and puppies were adopted from NACHS in the last 12 months.

We couldn’t produce Bark in the Park without the cooperation of many friends of the Humane Society. A million thanks go to Jim Barnett and his staff at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, which has been the site of Bark in the Park from the beginning.

Desiree Smith will emcee the event, which will be broadcast via live remote on The River (KFNV 107.1). We hope you’ve already heard and enjoyed her “promos.” Many thanks to Heard Music Company for providing the public address system for Saturday’s show.

Of course, we’ll have an original T-shirt designed just for this year’s event. Be sure to stop by our sales table.

We’re deeply grateful to this year’s Bark in the Park sponsors, and hope everyone will send some business their way: The Natchez Democrat, Westaff, Stephens & Hobdy Insurance, Natchez Community Hospital, Byron’s Discount Drug Store, the Krewe of Phoenix, Wilmar Construction, Good Hope Timber, Anne McDaniel Photography, Coldwell Banker – Stewart Realty, Kentwood Spring Water, Natchez Regional Medical Center, Edgin Construction, Paul Green & Associates, Natchez Heating & Cooling, Natchez Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, Hydrocarbon Engineering Processing, and Bob and Shanna Pollard. Natchez Markets will supply food for our concession stand, and beverages will be provided by Natchez Coca-Cola Co.

Promotional flyers were produced by the Smithermans at BankingForms.com.

If you don’t have a pooch of your own to show off, now is the perfect time to drop by our shelter at 392 Liberty Road and adopt one. We’re loaded with a fantastic selection of adorable pets right now. The shelter is now open to the public 2-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. A modest adoption fee of $45 for canines and $35 for felines includes the cost of spay/neuter, and every adoption comes with unlimited love.

Y’all come on out to the Indian Village on the 22nd and have a great time while supporting a worthy cause!

Linda Harper is president of the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society.