Patterson Park goes to the dogs on Saturday. And that's a good thing.

BARCStoberfest, the annual fund raiser for the South Baltimore-based Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, runs 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The event has pet information, vendors of pet-related items, low-cost microchipping and a silent auction.

According to BARCS executive director Jennifer Mead-Brause, the event will also include a just-for-fun agility course which dogs and their owners can enter, as well as a scavenger hunt that visits the various booths by vendors throughout the event.

"There's going to be a lot going on," she said.

BARCS will be bringing adoptable pets to the park throughout the day, and will be able to help interested individuals begin the adoption process.

"We'll have people teaching adoption classes right during the event itself," Mead-Brause said.

It also has the event that everyone comes to see — the canine costume contest.

This year, organizers have teamed up with Canton Community Association to combine the Howl-o-ween dog costume competition (part of its Baltimore Dog Festival) with BARCStoberfest. (In previous years, CCA held its event at the Can Company, with all proceeds going to the Canton Dog Park, while BARCStoberfest held its own event that benefited the shelter.)

The one thing both events had in common? They were both in October.

"As time went on I began to see an increased number of fund raising events in October that incorporated a costume contest and several were planned for the same weekend before Oct 31," said Gina Schwind, chairman of the Canton Dog Park. "I felt like if we were all competing for the same sponsors, vendors and visitors then it would defeat the common purpose of helping the animals."

Schwind said that she approached Debra Rahl of BARCS during the summer, and floated the idea of combining BARCStoberfest with the CCA event. BARCS agreed.

There were no hard feelings from the Can Company, said Schwind, "because I think they were ready for a change as well."

Costumes will be judged in four categories: Most Original, Best Baltimorean, Matching Dog/Human, and Best Last Minute.

Other competitions for pets and their owners include Best Singer, Fastest Treat Eater, Best Tail/Butt Wagger and Best Pet Trick.

There is a $15 registration fee per dog in each category (costumes as well as other contests), with all proceeds going to support the dog park. Schwind said that dog park volunteers will also be selling T-shirts and raffle prizes to support the park.

Proceeds from all other events go to support BARCS.

In case of rain, all events are scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 28, at the same time.

Information on the event, including a timetable for when various competitions will take place, can be found at the BARCS website, www.baltimoreanimalshelter.org.

Volunteers are needed to help out during the day, whether for an hour or all day, in many areas. Info: Gina Schwind 410-342-0900 (24-hour voice mail) or dogpark@cantoncommunity.org.

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