Annual Bark in the Park festival coming to San Jose

It’s time to get your bark on with San Jose’s annual Bark in the Park, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Billed as the largest dog festival in the country, all the barking-goings-on cover a large neighborhood park with family-friendly events, contests, beverages, food, agility courses, children’s activities and more than 75 dogrelated vendors and services.

Admission is $5 for adults, but children and dogs get in free. Proceeds from donations benefit the Humane Society Silicon Valley, San Jose Animal Care Center and other local charities. The action takes place at William Street Park, corner of East William and South 16th streets in downtown San Jose.

What began as a small neighborhood event 22 years ago “now attracts thousands of dog lovers and provides an opportunity for families and their four-legged pals to enjoy a day together while raising funds for charity,” says John Turner, president of the Campus Community Association, which organizes Bark in the Park.

If your pooch needs vaccinations and microchipping, you can get both at bargain prices, provided by Pet Awareness and Welfare Society for San Jose Animal Care Services. And if you and your dog get too hot, you can visit the misting tent provided by San Jose Water.

The popular Kids Entertainment Zone returns with two new additions, Storytelling by Edith of the San Jose Public Library and Doga (Dogs and Yoga) by Jake’s Wish Dog Rescue. There will also be a kid’s agility course, puppy makeover packages (face painting and more) and a dogthemed bounce house.