Becker Community Center’s latest event, Barktober Fest, brought out creative, cute and scary costumes worn by both two and four-footed attendees.

 

To the sounds of upbeat music, adults, kids and dogs of all shapes and sizes played games and visited pet vender booths for candy, information and products. The inflatables were a big hit, as was the decorated area available for attendees to pose for pictures with pets and monsters alike.

 

At noon kids in their costumed best lined up to participate in the kids’ costume parade and contest, parading around the Community Center’s north parking lot and waving excitedly at spectators. 

 

With the song Who Let the Dogs Out to set the mood, the pet parade and contest followed at 1:00, with owners leading their pets, many of them in matching costumes, around the parking lot to the enjoyment of spectators.

 

Star Wars was the theme for Chris Jurek’s family, with Chris dressed as Princess Leia, son Griffin outfitted as a storm trooper and dog Rocko in disguise as Chewbacca. Her one-year-old, who also had a Chewbacca suit, was home for a nap by the time the parade started.

 

Winner of the kids’ costume contest was Katie Vanderbeek dressed as dog with a neck cone and accompanied by her pet Yorkie as a veterinarian. Jake Sebesta’s pitbull took home top prize in the pet costume division with the bullrider he had hitching a ride on his back.

 

Most of the pets took the day in stride, like Tootsie the firefighting dog and Grunt the lion, although there were a few that tried to shake off their costumes, including Sara Hamacher’s granddog, Laila, who wasn’t a fan of her minion hat.

 

“This is the first pet event we’ve ever had,” said Program Supervisor Chelsie Swiggum. “Based on the feedback I’ve gotten I’m hoping Barktober Fest will become an annual event.” 

 

Special guest appearances were made by the Minnesota Viking cheerleaders, KDWB’s morning show host Dave Ryan and Sherburne Co. and Big Lake K9 units.