THAT'S WHAT I'M BARKIN' ABOUT. Dog lovers and their furry friends officially have their own festival in town. It was bound to happen eventually. (Pictured: Eau Claire Dog Park.)

Dog lovers, rejoice! The first-ever Dog Fest is happening this fall, Oct. 5-6, at the Eau Claire Silver Mine Ski Jump grounds. The inaugural event will feature a variety of interactive activities for dogs – including a Dog Fashion Show – furry friend-friendly food, a vendor market, and an adoption drive.

According to a recent media release, the two-day event is dedicated to celebrating the bond between dogs and their owners, aiming to create a fun and inclusive environment for folks to gather to learn, support local businesses, and enjoy activities. The event runs 10am-7pm on Saturday, Oct. 5, and 10am-4pm on Sunday, Oct. 6.

Dogs gain access for free – duh, money is a human concept, sigh – while admission fees for dog owners and friends is $5 in advance online or $10 at the gate. There are a handful of rules for those who want to get in on the action: Owners are responsible for their dog’s behavior and must clean up after their pets; all dogs must be on a leash except during designated off-leash activities; dogs must be up-to-date on vaccinations and in good health; and good sportsmanship is expected from all participants.

“We are thrilled to bring Dog Fest to Eau Claire,” said event creator Hannah Goff. “This event is a fantastic opportunity for the community to come together and celebrate our beloved pets.”

Dog Fest will feature:

• Interactive contests: Participate in a variety of fun and engaging contests with your dog, including agility courses, eating contests, fetching contests, best trick competitions, and costume contests with prizes for the dog winning each contest and the most contests.

• Dog (and person) friendly food: Enjoy a wide selection of food from local vendors and food trucks, including gourmet dog treats and human-friendly options.

• Live entertainment: Enjoy live music from local bands and performances throughout the event. There will be something for everyone to enjoy.

• Vendor Village: Explore a marketplace filled with pet-related products, services, and information from local businesses and organizations.

• Adoption drives: Don’t have a dog or looking for another one? Come meet some of the amazing dogs available in our area and see if they’re a fit for you to take home!

The organizers are in search of volunteers for the fall event as well as sponsors.

Dog Fest is slated for Oct. 5-6 at Silver Mine Ski Jump Grounds (2770 Silvermine Drive, Eau Claire) • For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ecdogfest.com or reach out at info@ecdogfest.com • Find Eau Claire Dog Fest on Facebook