Barktoberfest Parade & Dog Costume Contest
Sunday, October 25, 2026
Location: Point Isabel Regional Shoreline
Registration: 12 p.m. (online reg will available starting Oct. 1)
Parade: 1 p.m.
Judging, Prizes & Winners’ Photos: 1:15–2 p.m.
Meet: Field north of Sit & Stay Café/Mudpuppy’s, 1 Isabel Street, Richmond
Celebrate 25 Years of Mudpuppy’s & Sit & Stay!
This year, the operators of Mudpuppy’s Tub & Scrub and Sit & Stay Café celebrate their 25th anniversary at Point Isabel! The beloved dog wash and snack bar play a big part in making Point Isabel unique—not just within the East Bay Regional Park District, but probably worldwide.
To mark the milestone, Mudpuppy’s will co-host PIDO’s Barktoberfest Dog Costume Contest on Sunday, October 25. Participation is free this year, with space for up to 120 entries.
Mudpuppy’s is donating prizes for the contest winners, and Sit & Stay Café will serve free hot dogs for everyone in attendance (while supplies last).
Costume Contest
Pre-registration is recommended. Online registration will be open October 1-23 at https://www.pido.org/events/barktoberfest-2026
Registration for any remaining spots will begin at 12:00 p.m. on October 25 near the café. If you pre-register, please check in by 12:30 p.m. to receive your contestant number and badge.
Contest Categories
Prizes will be awarded for the best costumes in these 10 categories:
Small dogs
Medium dogs
Big dogs
Small packs (two or more small dogs)
Medium packs (two or more medium dogs)
Big packs (two or more big dogs)
Mixed packs (two or more dogs of different sizes)
Kids and their dogs
Family pack
Grand prize (from any of the categories above)
Event Schedule
12 p.m. — Registration opens for remaining spots
12:30 p.m. — Pre-registered contestants check in
1 p.m. — Short costume parade along the shoreline
1:15–2 p.m. — Judging, prizes and winners’ photos
A Little Barktoberfest History
Mudpuppy’s and PIDO go way back. In 2001, Mudpuppy’s hosted a Halloween dog costume parade and dog-washing fundraiser that raised $400 for PIDO. The following year, PIDO began organizing Barktoberfest, which has been hosted most years since.
Twenty-five years of Mudpuppy’s and Sit & Stay at Point Isabel—and decades of Barktoberfest—make this year’s celebration extra special.
Good to Know
Cost: Free
Maximum entries: 120
Pre-registration: October 1–23
Day-of registration: Begins at noon, if spots remain
Parking: Arrive early; parking may be difficult.
Weather: Rain cancels
Free hot dogs provided by MudPuppy’s: While supplies last
Come early, bring your best costume, and celebrate one of Point Isabel’s favorite traditions!
