Dog Lovers Get Creative at Barktoberfest

El Cerrito Patch reader Marla Miyashiro sent us this great write up of her Barktoberfest experience. Photos were contributed by Marla Miyashiro and Patch contributor . 

With an air of merriment, about four dozen people dressed up their canine companions for Barktoberfest at Point Isabel Regional Shoreline in Richmond on Saturday. Four-legged bees, devils, musketeers, mermaids, and even the St. Louis Cardinals’ Rally Squirrel paraded down a path along the edge of San Francisco Bay, much to the delight of other park visitors. Some onlookers whipped out their cell phones to take pictures of particularly eye-catching costumes.

After the short parade, more than 50 dogs participated in a costume contest to vie for prizes donated by Alpha Pet Supply in Albany, The Bark magazine and Andronico’s in Berkeley, and Catahoula Coffee in Richmond. All entrants were sent home with treat-filled goody bags.

“It was really hard to pick the winners,” noted Sharon Scharm Harris, a resident of El Cerrito and one of the contest judges, “There were so many great costumes.”

Ultimately one winner, one runner-up, and one honorable mention were chosen in each of three categories. A crowd of spectators cheered as the names of the top dogs were announced.

Tiare Ordanza’s dachshunds, Donovan and Scarlett, outfitted as Hawaiian tourists, won in the small-dog category. Loki, owned by Beth Bittle, prevailed in the medium-dog category as a punk rocker with a striking purple Mohawk. And Suzie Rudloff’s dog, Otis, was named the winner in the large-dog category for his bucking-bull costume complete with rider.

Barktoberfest was organized by Point Isabel Dog Owners (PIDO), a nonprofit group that works to keep Point Isabel clean and off leash. The free event is held annually in October.

PIDO board members said they were happy with the large turnout and the participants’ enthusiasm, and were already making plans for next year’s event.