Saturday, October 17, 2026
10 A.M. – 6 P.M.
ADMISSION & PARKING ARE FREE!
Pawtoberfest is a dog-centric section within Huffhines Harvest Fest. Bring your pup and join us for a fun-filled day with pet costume contest, puppy yoga, pumpkin patch, shopping, live music, craft beer, wine, fall treats, and more!
PUPPY YOGA
10:30 – 11:15 a.m. at the Puppy Yoga Zone
Registration: $10 per person, ages 13+
Get in a 45-minute full body stretch while enjoying the joy of PUPPIES! The best part? All the puppies are adoptable rescues from Dallas RRR (Rescue, Rehab, Reform)! Interested in fostering? Visit their website for more information!
PET COSTUME CONTEST
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. at the Backyard Stage
Registration: $7 per pet
The Pawtoberfest Costume Contest is open to dogs of all sizes, breeds, and ages! Our cat friends are welcome as well. Awards will be given for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.
Walk-ups not guaranteed. Pets must be on-leash with an adult handler at all times.
ALL DAY ACTIVITIES
• Richardson Animal Shelter On-Site Adoptions
• Self-led Agility Course
• Pawsome Arts & Crafts with your pup
• Shopping with pet-related & Marketplace vendors
• Food Vendors, Craft Beer, & Wine
• Photo opportunities
• Live Music – click here for schedule
• Family Activities – click here for list
Includes pumpkin patch, face painting, petting zoo & more!
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
Volunteers will help attendees and their adorable pets create arts and crafts at our Pawesome Art booth or help line up participants in our Pet Costume Contest.
Volunteer hours can be used for school organization requirements.
Must be 16 or older to volunteer without a guardian. 14-15 years old may volunteer alongside an adult parent/guardian and must sign up individually.
INTERESTED IN BEING PART OF OUR EVENT? APPLY TO BE A VENDOR, EXHIBITOR, OR SPONSOR!
2026 APPLICATIONS ARE CLOSED AS OF SEP 13
We are looking for groups that fit well with our event theme, including pet apparel vendors, boarding facilities, trainers, vet clinics, rescue organizations.
– Vendors: Selling items or services at event
– Exhibitors: Sharing information, no selling on-site
– Sponsors: various levels available
Vendors and exhibitors must be dog-related, while sponsors do not.
Food and drink vendors may express interest via this application: Event Food Vendor Application
2026 Schedule
All day – Great Tennis Ball Hunt
No registration needed. Open to all! The hunt runs until all balls are turned in.
You and your pup will channel your inner “search hound” to find hidden labeled tennis balls around the festival site. Return the ball to our Pawtoberfest information booth for a prize! Limit 1 ball per group.
10:30 – 11:15 A.M. – Rescue Puppy Yoga
Location: The Puppy Yoga Zone
Registration required. See section above for registration link and more information.
12:00 – 1:00 P.M. – Costume Contest
Location: Backyard Stage
Registration required. See section above for registration link and more information.
3:00 – 4:00 P.M. – Tales for Tails
Location: City of Richardson Library booth (R.O.V.E.R. van)
FREE – Slots are first-come first-served. Check-in begins 15min before the program at the Library’s booth. Designed for ages 12 and under. Non-participants can visit with the dogs during the last 15min of the program.
The popular Richardson Public Library program is coming to Pawtoberfest! Children 12 and under can practice their reading skills by reading to the adorable therapy dogs from Heart of Texas Therapy Dogs.
Thank You To Our 2026 Sponsors!
Click below to learn more about the AMAZING organizations
that make free community events like Pawtoberfest possible!
Questions?
Margie Trame, Special Event Manager
margaret.trame@cor.gov