Spartan Daily - Serving San Jose State University since 1934

Issue date: 9/18/06 Section: News

Media Credit: Jordan McKone A dog competing in a game called Fly Ball races over hurdles toward a tennis ball in William Street Park on Saturday. The game was part of the 11th annual Bark in the Park, a dog festival in the Naglee Park neighborhood.

Barking, drooling and tail wagging were just some of the things that took place Saturday at the 11th annual Naglee Park Bark in the Park event in William Street Park.

"Dogs are really in right now, and they make great friends and companions," said Ken Podgorsek, chair of the Campus Community Association and the main coordinator of Bark in the Park for the past two years.

"We've gotten to the point where it's acceptable for people to have clothing, strollers, and insurance for their pets," Podgorsek said.

Juan Andrade, along with his dog Tessa, an Australian shepherd, have enjoyed the atmosphere of Bark in the Park for the past two years.

"This is my second year attending the event, and I like how it's a good place for dog owners and dog lovers to enjoy themselves and socialize," Andrade said.

According to information provided by the Naglee Park Campus Community Association, the event first started in 1994, which attracted more than 2,500 guests and their pets. Last year, an estimated 10,000 people attended.

"In the past 10 years, we've raised $40,000 and invested that into our community, such as local down town schools, in addition to $15,000 that we contribute to dog charities," Podgorsek said.

Dogs in their owners' favorite sports team jerseys, dresses, sunglasses and hats are part of American dog culture. The event also had booths that provided therapy, organic foods, and life insurance.

"We think the dog culture is good. We have a trust fund for our dog, because she is part of the family," said Steve Heinen, who with his wife Liz brought their dog Kobi, a Labrador and terrier mix.

Some of the events that took place during Bark in the Park were a pet-owner look-alike contest, a canine costume contest and a free agility test, which is a dog obstacle course.

"We participated in the pet-owner look-alike contest last year, and this year, we decided to participate in the agility test," Heinen said.

The Bark in the Park event has been going on for the past 11 years, which some vendors feel has been a good opportunity to obtain new customers.

Most of the vendors and organizations that participated at this year's Bark in the Park event were veterans of the event, and some were here for the first time.

Annie's Blanket, a nonprofit organization that provides blankets and towels to adoption agencies and rescues, was one of the many vendors to line its tent along the perimeters of the park.

"This is our first year attending this event, and we hope to continue to participate in the upcoming years," said Edie Achterman one of the vendor representatives.

The 2007 Bark in the Park event is scheduled for Sept. 15, 2007.

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