It was a moment comparable to being at the circus, watching dogs large and small waltz by in bright, bulky and outlandish costumes, some complete with suspenders or patent leather doll shoes. The woolly mammoth, the lobster, the ballerina, the Lion King, the construction worker, the geisha, the bum, and the hippie — exceptionally well-costumed dogs — assembled in line for judges to determine which one would win this year’s dog costume contest. Zury, the 2-year-old Australian cattle dog dressed as a bum, was the first-prize winner, followed by Rudy placing second for his construction worker duds, and Klusso placing third as the Lion King.

According to Lesley Kirrene, Sacramento SPCA director of public relations, today’s Doggy Dash and Bark at the Park festival had its greatest turnout of the 16 consecutive years it’s been held at William Land Park. She estimated that there were 3,000 participants in the 2K and 5K Doggy Dash walk/runs combined, and added that this year’s fourth annual pug race had more participants than ever before.

In addition to the Doggy Dash, pug races and costume contests, the Bark at the Park festival also hosted various dog demonstrations and other competitions in three separate arenas.

The Sacramento Police Department held a K-9 demonstration using three of the department’s nine patrol dogs: Butch, Hutch, and their newest addition, Crash. The three dogs performed obedience demonstrations as well as attack demonstrations on pretend “bad guys” with padded arm guards. Sergeant Steve Olivera said that the dogs require four months of training.

Robert Lynch and his 3-and-a-half-year old Staffordshire bull terrier won first place in the look-alike contest and third place in best smile.

Disc Dogs of the Golden Gate showcased their owner-dog teams engaging in coordinated disc-catching demonstrations — team members varied in sizes as small as Sammy the dachshund and as stocky as Aztec the pit bull.

Other dog owners entered their dogs in the disc, toss and fetch contest, or competitions for best tricks, best smile or best kisser.

Among eye-catching dogs in attendance included black and white great Dane Cosmo, who is 43-inches tall and 155 pounds, and supposedly related to the tallest dog in this year’s Guinness World Records, according to the owner.

“I’m not sure if that’s a horse or a dog,” said contributing Sacramento Press photographer Ed Fogle.

Amid the excitement were two new additions to this year’s festival: a free concert by Sacramento band the Indestructibles, and a kid zone inclusive with rock climbing and a jump house.

Along with booths dedicated to dog rescue and prevention of animal cruelty, the event also hosted a variety of booths promoting grain, wheat, hormone and preservative-free dog foods, spa indulgences, resort packages and pet medical insurance to dog owners who sometimes seemed more concerned with the well-being of their furry friends than of themselves.

By mid-afternoon, dogs and their owners walked away from the park. Some looked happy, some looked dog-tired.

All proceeds from the event will go directly to help homeless animals at the Sacramento SPCA. For more information about the organization, visit: sspca.org.

*Author’s note: Photos 9, 10, & 11 by Jenn Walker. All other photos courtesy of Ed Fogle; click the following link to view website: Maverick Photography.