NATCHEZ — It is time for dogs to brush up on their best tricks, practice their perfect smile and iron the wrinkles out of their Sunday best.

The dogs will put on a show from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians for the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society’s annual Bark in the Park fundraiser.

NACHS board member Susan Mingee said the annual event offers attendees a chance to have fun while raising money for a good cause.

“Bark in the Park is a great opportunity for dogs and their owners to participate in a fun outing that also benefits the work of the (humane society),” she said.

The day will offer a full slate of competitions for the dogs and food and fun for the attendees.

Dogs can compete for the title of cutest puppy, best costume, most handsome, most beautiful, most talented, best smile, best tail wag, best owner look alike and Mr. and Miss NACHS.

The cutest puppy category is open to dogs between 6 weeks and 4 months old.

The Mr. and Miss NACHS contest is open to dogs adopted from the local shelter.

A panel of judges pick the winner in each category. First, second and third place prizes will be awarded in cutest puppy, most handsome, most beautiful, most talented and best costume.

A single winner will be picked in the remaining categories.

Mingee said while the best costume and most talented contests are usually the most popular, she is really looking forward to the owner-dog look alike contest.

“Participants have become very creative with costumes over the past few years, and the dogs get more talented with tricks each year,” she said. “Past costumes have ranged from an antebellum lady in a beautiful gown to Elvis to the devil in his red cape.

“We are going back to an old favorite category this year, owner-dog look alike, so we are excited to see how many will participate in that category.”

Owners can register dogs in as many categories as they wish. Registration is $2 per dog per event.

Registration will take place on the day of the event, with contests getting started around 11:20 a.m.

Bark in the Park is a community event and the public is encouraged to see the show, Mingee said.

Admission is $4 for anyone over 6 years old. Children under 6 will be admitted for $1.

The money raised at the event will fund the day-to-day operations of the shelter.

“Bark in the Park is one of the main fundraisers for us,” Mingee said.

For the safety of all in attendance, all dogs should be kept on a leash and under the control of their owners at all times during the festival.