Thousands of dogs will bring their humans out to Lake Eola this weekend as an annual tradition and fundraiser returns to Central Florida.
Pet Alliance invites animal lovers to the 32nd edition of Paws in the Park on Saturday. Visitors can enjoy the signature pet costume contest featuring “celebrity” judges and cash prizes followed by a full day of activities for humans and canines.
Festivities include an agility course, a beer garden, food trucks, shopping and plenty of pet-centric vendors. Pet Alliance’s mobile vet unit will be on-site with free vaccinations.
“We have 127 vendors and food trucks coming this year, more than we’ve ever had. We’re expecting a pretty big crowd with that much interest from the vendors,” said Stephen Bardy, Pet Alliance’s executive director. “The costume contest is always a hit. The people who participate in our contest go all out.”
Bardy said the attendance typically reaches 10,000 people and thousands of dogs — and sometimes other pets.
A cat is dressed up as an ice cream cone during the costume contest at Paws in the Park, an annual festival and fundraiser for Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, at Lake Eola Park in 2020. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
“We have the occasional cat; one year we had a kangaroo,” he said.
For existing pet owners, the festival has many treats and accessories to explore.
“There’s a whole host of dog and cat merchandise, whether it’s collars, leashes, dog beds, litter boxes and a whole host of things that people make themselves,” Bardy said. “There are dog treats, training services, boarding facilities, grooming facilities and veterinarians.”
The event also features adoptable pets from Central Florida rescues and shelters. Bardy said that Paws in the Park is a welcome chance to see familiar faces — gathering together past adoptees in once place.
A Pomeranian named Ossy at Paws in the Park at Lake Eola in 2019. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
“Orlando has a robust animal community, but even more so by being completely behind adopting dogs and cats from shelters and rescues,” he said. “I get to see some of my old foster puppies that are now grown and I run into people that have adopted from us. It feels like a little family reunion.”
The festival serves as the organization’s second-largest fundraiser of the year, aiming to collect $215,000 to support Pet Alliances’s general operation. This includes veterinary care and medical staff, shelter for animals, food and medication that helps care for 4,000 dogs and cats annually.
Pet Alliance will also celebrate the opening of its new 25,000-square-foot shelter later this spring.
Bardy encouraged attendees, whether they’re pet owners or not, to come to the event prepared.
Patrick Connolly / Orlando Sentinel
A furry costume contest participant sits in a kissing booth during Paws in the Park, an annual festival and fundraiser for Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando, at Lake Eola Park in 2020. (Patrick Connolly/Orlando Sentinel)
“Come ready to pet lots of dogs. You can be a spectator or a participant, whichever you choose,” he said. “You can be actively engaged in things or you can just walk through the park and enjoy all the sights and sounds and all the happy dogs.”
Find me @PConnPie on Instagram or send me an email: pconnolly@orlandosentinel.com. Stay up to date with our latest travel, arts and events coverage by subscribing to our newsletters at orlandosentinel.com/newsletters.
If you go
Paws in the Park is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 7 at 512 E. Washington St. in Orlando. The event is free and open to the public but fundraising is encouraged before and during the event. For more information, visit petallianceorlando.org or pawsinthepark.org.