32nd Annual Dogtober Fest

Dogtober Fest returns to the Kemper Outdoor Education Center on Sunday, October 18, for its 32nd year. It's one of those Kansas City traditions that's been around long enough to feel like part of the autumn calendar, and it usually brings out more than 3,000 dogs and their people for the day.

The bulk of the event is built around more than 90 booths, so there's plenty to wander through. The real draw, though, is the string of dog-owner contests that run throughout the day. You'll see Best Trick, Dog/Owner Look-Alike, and Best Tail-wagger, along with the Howl-o-ween Costume Contest, which is where the costumes really come into play. If you're into the more active side of things, there are agility courses and frisbee contests, and a few family games like Musical Discs and Bobbing for Biscuits that get the crowd involved.

It's a full day, so you can spend as much or as little time as you like. If you've got a dog, you can enter them in a few of the contests; if you don't, you can still walk the booths and watch the agility runs. The whole thing takes place at the Kemper Outdoor Education Center on October 18, and it's the 32nd edition of the fest.