Sunday was a another great day in the Ozarks! I decided to celebrate it with the dogs at Arf Fest 2009.

I attended the 2nd annual Arf Fest on Commercial Street in northern Springfield Missouri. We had a dog parade and beauty show. There were vendors set up under the awning offering pet supplies, pet rescue groups and some refreshments. They even had artists creating portraits of folks and their pets.There were prizes to be awarded for the Biggest, the Littlest, The Owner-Dog look-Alikes, Best Dressed and the Beauty in the Ruft" categories. I tried to get pictures of them all. Everywhere you looked there were happy dogs and owners. A small entry fee was charged with proceeds to go to the Springfield Animal Advocacy Foundation.

I got there kind of early and at first thought it wasn't going to be a very large event this year but as the afternoon wore on the lot filled. There were cute dogs and owner's every where! They called for the event to begin with a Doggie Parade so they all lined up and marched around the area and then proceeded to a seating area set up at the east end below the Jefferson Ave Foot Bridge.

Then as each category was called the Biggest Dogs, Smallest Dogs etc filed up and the winners were chosen by crowd appeal. The voting was close with hoops and hollers ringing out from the crowd as each contestant was indicated. I'm not sure what was in the large bags that were offered for First, Second and Third prizes but I can guess that it was an assortment of doggie treats and possibly coupons from local businesses.

Some dogs entered multiple events. One of the best dressed dogs competed in the talent event, and the piano playing dog took a prize, actually I think there were enough prizes to go to all of the talented pooches. However, I think I saw some of the best talent out in the crowd from dogs that didn't even enter the completion!

All in all, it was a it was a beautiful Ozarks Sunday. And fun was had by all when it went to the dogs!

I have additional fun doggie pictures over on my Flickr page check 'em out if you like!