Downtown’s Woodruff Park To Host Dog Costume Party

ATLANTA, GA — WoodRUFF Bark, a signature event in Downtown Atlanta’s Woodruff Park, began last year as a Halloween pet parade and costume contest. For 2018, the park is morphing this pup-centric event into one that is even truer to its Downtown roots: Doggy Con.

WoodRUFF Bark invites metro Atlantans and their four-legged friends for a morning of dog-friendly fun, featuring a pet parade, costume contest, doggy-centric vendors, prizes and much more. Doggy Con will take place from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 18, at 91 Peachtree St. NW on Woodruff Park’s Main Lawn (see map below).

Doggy Con is inspired by Dragon Con, one of the world’s largest pop culture conventions, which attracts thousands of attendees over Labor Day weekend. For many Atlantans, Dragon Con has become a holiday of its own, with eccentric costumes, a festive atmosphere and plenty of fandom.

Entrants must register to participate in the costume contest. Register for $10 by Thursday, Aug. 16, by clicking here or register on-site at the event for $15. All funds raised from the event go directly back to supporting Woodruff Park.

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Doggy Con At-A-Glance

Doggy Con is a rain or shine event
Where: Woodruff Park Main Lawn, 91 Peachtree St. NW, Atlanta (see map below)
When: Saturday, Aug. 18 from 9 a.m. to noon

• 9 a.m. Bib pickup for costume parade (walkup registration also available)
• 10 a.m. Parade begins
• 11 a.m. Prize ceremony

Prizes

The first 25 attendees to register will receive a special tote bag featuring the event illustration by Rachal Duggan. Prizes include two five-day passes to Dragon Con, plus goods from Big Daddy Biscuits, The Whole Dog Market and more. All participants will receive a free Woodruff Park and Dragon Con giveaway item.

Contest categories

• Best in Show
• Best Doggie/Owner “Con-bo”
• Best Cosplay Costume

In addition to being part of a dog costume parade, attendees will enjoy pup products from these vendors:

• Ruff Day Bandanas
• WildPic Art Publishing
• Pop Paracording
• Jazzy Pawz by Andrea
• 8SweetTreats
• King of Pups
• Mag-nificent Community Partners
• Atlanta Rescue Dog Café
• Lifeline Animal Project
• Dragon Con

Judges

• Karen Anderson, Tiny Doors ATL
• Brandon Ley and Johnny Martinez, owners of Joystick Gamebar and Georgia Beer Garden
• Reuben the Batdog, local Instagram celebrity dog

Sponsors
This year’s Doggy Con will be sponsored by Fire Bee and Bark ATL.

To explore the full lineup of park events, including weekly and monthly programs, visit the Woodruff Park event calendar here.

For more information about Woodruff Park, click here. Follow Woodruff Park online at Facebook.com/WoodruffPark and @WoodruffPark on Instagram.

Image: Shutterstock