Saturday's 'Dog Day Afternoon': Not Just Another Day at the Bark

For hundreds of pooches and their owners, it is a day that is part county fair, part convention – a dog and puppy show, if you will.

"Dog Day Afternoon" ­is a free event held this Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., at Hopewell Park in the Columbia village of Owen Brown.

Activities include a best tail-wagger contest, a biscuit-eating contest, awards for “cutest canine,” “coolest costume” and “most fashionable,” and, oh yes, there’s a good old-fashioned game of “musical SIT!”

But there are also question-and-answer sessions with dog trainers, pointers on buying a puppy and demonstrations involving service dogs.

Beyond that, there are fenced-off areas for hounds to run around and various dog-related vendors, businesses and organizations.

This is the fifth year for the event, which is hosted by Columbia Association.

“We recognize that Columbians love their pets, so we decided to host an event that would give their pets a platform to have fun,” said Shelia Green, a spokeswoman for Columbia Association. “There was also a great opportunity for residents to get out there and mingle with one each other.”

The first year had approximately 200 canines and people and perhaps five vendors. By last year, the numbers had grown to around 600 people and pooches and about 16 vendors, according to Green.

“From the very first event, people kind of stopped in and asked, ‘What’s all this about?’ ” Green said. “I think people just really enjoy the concept. It’s one of our most successful events.”

Though there are numerous parks, open spaces, pathways and even businesses in Columbia where people can take their dogs, there are no dog parks in Columbia. Dog Day Afternoon provides an organized way for dogs and dog owners to interact and play, she said. 

“One of the things that really amazed me was how well-controlled the dogs are,” Green said. “We’ve had no issues and concerns. If you can say a dog’s well mannered, then that’s what you’re going to see at this event.”

The first Dog Day Afternoon in Columbia was held at Lake Kittamaqund; it then moved to Lake Elkhorn. Dredging continues at Lake Elkhorn, however, and so this will be the second year that the event takes place at Hopewell Park.

The park is located off Snowden River Parkway at 9200 Rustling Leaf.

A schedule of events at Dog Day Afternoon is below. Times and events are subject to change. More information can be found at this Facebook link.