On Saturday, April 17 Bark to the Park returns to Finlay Park in downtown Columbia. The event starts with a one mile walk at 10:30 am and continues with the all day festival until 4 pm.

In 2009 there were 608 walkers, 2,437 attendees, 60 statewide vendors (including 20 rescues). The whole event raised over $90,000 for sheltered animals. Bark to the Park: Walk and Festival for the Animals is one of Project Pet’s largest fundraising efforts designed just for dogs and a lot of fun for people too.

While still an event just for canines and people, continuous changes are being made year to year to draw larger crowds and give dogs and people alike more activities in which to be involved. Events at this years festival include fly ball and disc dog demonstrations, live entertainment, a $20 micro–chipping clinic, pet registry with Richland County, low cost vaccinations, area rescue groups featuring their own pet adoptions, and statewide food and product vendors.

The walk portion of the event has been organized to raise money for sheltered animal care in the Midlands. Walkers and canine companions are encouraged to sign up or form teams to raise money for sheltered animals. Top fund raisers and teams could win prizes for themselves and their companions.

Walk and festival will be held Saturday, April 17 at Finlay Park. The walk begins at 10:30 am and concludes with the start of the festival at 11 am. The Festival then concludes at 4 pm. For more information and to register your walk team, visit www.barktothepark.com or call (803) 407-0991, P.O. Box 1777 Columbia, SC.