No-kill animal shelter’s 26th annual Barktoberfest returns to Gilbert this weekend

PHOENIX — Barktoberfest is back this weekend. The 26th annual adoption event will look to find permanent homes for dogs while also raising money for the community’s homeless dogs and cats.

Friends for Life will host the free event at the Gilbert Civic Center, near Gilbert and Warner roads, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.

What else will Barktoberfest offer?

A variety of activities, food trucks, shopping and photo opportunities will also be stationed at the event.

At DogVinci, animals can step in safe paint and walk onto canvasses to create an art piece.

Several competitions will also take place including a K-9 Idol (howling) contest, costume contest and best trick contest. Gilbert Police Chief Michael Soelberg and Gilbert Mayor Brigette Peterson will be judging each of the competitions.

Friends for Life is a no-kill animal shelter which receives no funding from the government. It costs roughly $40,000 per month to run the adoption center and all funds raised at the festival will go toward saving homeless dogs and cats in the community.

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