Willow Bark returning next week

On April 15 the city of Willow Park is going to the dogs.

However, it won’t be a taxing situation.

Willow Bark is returning that day from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at McCall Elementary School, 400 Scenic Tr. The event is free for dogs — along with their owners and kiddos.

The event was set to debut in 2020, but was canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The first one was held in September of 2021, but event organizer and Willow Park Public Relations Director Rose Hoffman said it was designed to be held in the spring.

“This was always intended to be a spring event, so we skipped spring of ‘22 and now it will be in the spring going forward,” Hoffman said.

For the humans, particularly children, there will be a variety of bounces, along with a kids karaoke DJ. There will also be face painting, a caricature artist, balloon artist, and more activities including games.

For the dogs, there will be a costume contest at 1 p.m. and weenie dog races at 3 p.m. Prizes for both events will be provided by Pet Supplies Plus.

Numerous vendors will be on hand, including Fifty Fifty Food Trailer  and Jackalope Bob’s Food Box Spectacular.

Two raffles will be held. One will feature a drawing for a quilt shaped like a puppy, with tickets going for $5 each or six for $25. The other features $500 in gift cards/certificates from local businesses with tickets selling for $10 each or three for $25. Raffle proceeds benefit Parker Paws animal welfare group, which will also be onsite.