Ralph Brinkmann attended Bark Bash with his golden retriever, Trooper, who enjoyed cooling off in the Ice Castle. Several Ice Castle stations, sponsored by local businesses, offered a welcome reprieve from the heat for visiting pups.
Elsa made the trip from Bellefontaine—about an hour’s drive—to attend Bark Bash. Her favorite activity was swimming in Darby Bend Lakes with other dogs.
Deputy Gunnell and K-9 Cody demonstrated how they search for items. The Franklin County Sheriff’s Office brought four dogs to showcase their skills in dual-purpose missions during a presentation for Bark Bash visitors on Aug. 23.
Cheddar took a ride through the many Bark Bash vendor rows at the annual event held at Prairie Oaks Metro Park.
Bumble of Bumble’s Backyard got to enjoy some water time while her parents worked to promote their business that features Ohio’s first dog park plus bar and coffeehouse in Franklinton. They invite all dog lovers to join them at Puppypalooza on Sept. 3 with the Columbus Clippers.
A Day of Fun for Dogs and Their Humans at Prairie Oaks Metro Park
On Aug. 23, Prairie Oaks Metro Park’s Darby Bend Lakes area hosted the second annual Bark Bash. This free, dog-friendly event featured a variety of activities including stand-up paddleboarding and kayaking with your pup, a canine marketplace, tie-dye bandana crafting, hiking trails, an off-leash dog beach, and performances by the Franklin County Sheriff’s K-9 units and Performance Dogs of Ohio. Ice castles sponsored by Atlas Butler provided a cool respite for attendees and their four-legged companions.
Photos by Theresa Garee
