Dogs got their chance to swim and enjoy some fun in the sun before Cordova Recreation and Park District closed the Lincoln Village Pool for the season. Photo by Kiet Tat

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Sit, stay, splash!

On Saturday, Sept. 21, Cordova Recreation and Park District (CRPD) invited four-legged friends and their families to enjoy a day of doggie swimming, competitions, vendors and prizes at their first edition of Barktoberfest. Replacing the event formerly known as Doggie Days in the Park, Barktoberfest aimed to combine all of the fun of a doggie pool day with the festivities of Oktoberfest.

Families cued up with their dogs outside the Lincoln Village Community Pool in anticipation of the event. Once inside, dogs could romp around the pool and participate in exciting dog-related competitions such as best costume, most focused and fastest lap swimmer.

Outside of the pool deck, the event boasted two dozen vendors, inviting dog lovers to peruse accessories and treats, gain information from local organizations and resources and take one of-a-kind dog headshots. 

Vendors lined the pathways of Lincoln Village Community Park, providing eventgoers with ample merchandise and resources to explore throughout the event. Photo by Kiet Tat

And dogs weren’t the only ones getting treats: food vendors provided humans with tasty fare throughout the event. Just outside of the pool area, The Local Bark, a local dog resort offering services such as boarding, daycare and a members-only dog park, hosted a beer-garden offering crisp beers and seltzers to eventgoers.

If you missed out on Barktoberfest this year, we invite you to attend another Cordova Recreation and Park District special event, such as Halloween at Hagan on Oct. 26 or Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 7.

We hope to see you at a Cordova Recreation and Park District event soon!