If you're looking for a paw-some way to spend an afternoon, head to Rapho Township Park, 1499 Fieldstone Drive, Mount Joy, for the 10th annual Mutt Strut pet parade, where dogs will take center stage and steal the show. On Sunday, Oct. 26, pups of all shapes and sizes will strut their stuff in costume, pose for photos, enjoy blessings and, of course, sniff out some free treats. It's all part of Dog Park Mount Joy's tail-wagging tradition of celebrating community, creativity and canine companionship. Registration for the event will begin at 2 p.m., and the parade will kick off at 2:45 p.m.

"The main event is the costume parade, a photo booth and pet blessings by the Rev. Ellie Hart-Garner," said Lynn McCleary, president of Dog Park Mount Joy (DPMJ). "There will be free doggie treats, courtesy of Waggin Wheels Pet Supply, and lots of dog park merchandise for sale."

The lighthearted event has produced some very creative costumes in the past, she noted.

"We've seen wild and crazy individual entries, as well as entire families dressing up in themes, such as 'The Wizard of Oz,' 'The Jungle Book,' 'Harry Potter' and various cartoons," she said. "A costume favorite was a UPS truck made of a brown cardboard box on a wagon, with a Shih Tzu driver wearing a UPS visor. The creativity is unlimited!"

Along with having fun, pups will compete for prizes.

"Three prizes will be awarded based simply on 'costumes that make the judges smile,'" McCleary shared. "Prizes will be such things as dog park memberships, sweatshirts and memorial bricks, plus more."

The annual pet parade was once held at Veterans Memorial Park. In 2012, McCleary attended the parade holding a poster that asked simply, "Dog Park in Mount Joy?" She collected 150 signatures of people who were interested in having a local dog park.

From that list, she recruited Dr. Carla Douple, DVM, as vice president, along with 20 committee members who were willing to roll up their sleeves and help make it happen. In 2015, with construction underway and several fundraisers completed, the first Mutt Strut took place at Rapho Township Park.

The event is an opportunity to bring the community together and highlight Dog Park Mount Joy, which celebrates its ninth anniversary this year.

"Dogs are treasured family members who deserve a place to run free and make friends," McCleary said. "Watching them enjoy life is one of a dog lover's greatest pleasures, and having a place where they, too, can make friends is what keeps people and pups coming back year after year."

Dog Park Mount Joy is a 3-acre off-leash dog park, divided into two sections for large and small dogs.

"Membership is required because the park is funded solely through memberships, fundraisers and donations," McCleary said. "Hours of operation are dawn to dusk, and entry is via a security swipe card." Registration is on a rolling 12-month basis, with discounts if a family has more than one dog.

"Members travel from towns nearby and far away and often develop lifelong friendships that grow beyond the park," she remarked. "Many of the original committee people and several others are integral to keeping DPMJ the beautiful, safe space that it is for the community's beloved pups."

The dog park will mark its anniversary on Saturday, Nov. 1, and several events and fundraisers will be held throughout the coming year as the park approaches its 10th year in operation.

"DPMJ will host a humans-only potluck dinner on Nov. 15 at the Orchards Clubhouse, and several upcoming fundraisers are on tap toward park upgrades," McCleary said. More information can be found on the Dog Park Mount Joy Facebook page. 

Participation in the Mutt Strut is free, but donations are always welcome and will be applied toward the rental of the pavilion and prizes. No advance registration is required.

For more information on the dog park, visit http://www.dogparkmountjoy.com.