‘Bark in the Park’ to spotlight some of Galveston’s best pooches
The sixth annual “A Bark in the Park” will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, in the historic, treeshaded Kempner Park at 27th Street and Avenue N. Admission is free to the family-friendly dog show that benefits the Galveston Island Humane Society.
On-site registration opens at 9: 30 a.m. and the event will begin with the “Blessing of the Dogs.”
Breed classifications for competition will include: Terriers; sporting/herding; non-sporting; working/hound; toy; veterans; puppies; Heinz 57; and rescue.
Each class in this charity event will be judged with the winners advancing to the “Best in Show” category. New categories to be judged this year include “Best Pet/Owner Look Alike” and “Best Pet Trick.”
There will also be a canine kissing booth; face painting; performance by the K-9 Kommotion Flyball Team; obedience demonstrations; microchip services; spay and neuter information; and Canine Good Citizenship testing. The cost is $15 and advanced reservations are encouraged.
Dog enthusiasts can get timely pet information at the “Ask the Vet” booth, including the importance of spaying/neutering and microchips, with microchip services offered for $20
Mutts with Manners representatives will also be available following their obedience demonstration. The event will also includes pet service vendors and a “rescue village” spotlighting adoptable dogs from the Galveston Island Humane Society and other area shelters and rescue groups.
The fee to enter a pet in the competition is $10 per dog/ per class, and all entries must have proof of current vaccinations. All pets must be on a leash and retractable leashes are not allowed. No female dogs in season will be allowed to enter.
Visit www.galvestonhumane.org. Todownload applications or forms contact event chair KateMarx at 409-539-5135.
The eighth annual South West International Boat Show, the largest in-water boat show in the Southwest, will open March 17-20 at South Shore Harbour Marina.
A second show is scheduled Sept. 23-25 at the marina, too.
“We are thrilled to give boating lovers not one, but two opportunities this year to see these incredible vessels upclose and in their element,” said Peter Bryant, show president.
Each show will feature boats ranging in size from 10 feet to more than 100 feet, both freshwater and saltwater, ready for boarding and viewing.
Onshore, live music will provide entertainment and more than 200 vendors will offer a variety of services and products for the boating and outdoor lifestyle.
Show highlights include Discover Boating with programs of one and three hours of hands-on, in-water-workshops for all experience levels. All sessions are taught by USCG licensed captains who are professional, certified instructors.
The show also offers a seminar series, covering a range of topics from cruising with couples and families to digital communication technologies and marine electric propulsion and many more.
All seminars will be at the South Shore Harbour Resort & Spa, 2500 South Shore Blvd., and hosted by technical experts, well- seasoned sailors, bestselling authors and world cruisers.
The event also includes the annual Boat Show CruiserParty onMarch19.
Parking is free with complimentary shuttle buses available on Saturday and Sunday.
Visit www.southwestinternational boatshow.com for tickets or information. Galveston
The 21st annual Grand Kids Festival will be April 2 in historic downtown Galveston.
The event will take place on Postoffice Street from 20th to 23rd streets in Galveston’s Cultural Arts District. The festival fills three city blocks from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday with three outdoor stages, an indoor stage (at The Grand), a storytelling tent, more than a dozen activity areas, more than 40 activity booths and an array of food and beverage booths.
Visit www.grandkidsfestival.com for details.