NATCHEZ — Some of the area’s loudest voices will gather Saturday.

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

The event was established more than 20 years ago as a major fundraiser for the humane society, NACHS board member Susan Mingee said.

Mingee said the humane society depends on fundraisers for approximately 75 percent of its budget and Bark in the Park is one of the biggest.

“This event gives everyone an opportunity to bring their dogs out, have a great time and support a really great cause,” she said. “Every year we have many repeats who come back and many new people there for the first time.

“I know we have people who have made it to every Bark in the Park we’ve had.”

The money raised at Bark in the Park is used to carry on day-to-day operations of the aging shelter. Mingee said the shelter is always filled past capacity with dogs and cats. She said there are currently more than 200 dogs and 100 cats in a building designed to accommodate fewer than 100 animals.

“I try to do as much as I can for the animal shelter because it is just a heartbreaking situation,” she said.

Admission for Bark in the Park is $4 per person and $1 for children under 6.

Dogs can enter contest that include cutest puppies for puppies between six weeks and four months, most handsome, most beautiful, best trick, best owner look alike, best dressed, best smile and best tail wag. Dogs that were adopted from the shelter can also compete for the titles of Mr. NACHS and Miss NACHS.

The entry fee for contests is $2 per dog, and dogs can be entered in as many categories as desired.

Dogs participating in contests and those only attending to watch, should be well-mannered and on a leash.

T-shirts and refreshments will be available for purchase.

Mingee said the overall economy and efforts to raise funds for the NACHS building project have both impacted the general fund fundraising efforts, but she said supporters have continued to be generous.

“People have been generous and many people are helping with both funds, but in this economic time it is especially difficult,” she said.

Donations to the NACHS general fund can also be mailed to P.O. Box 549, Natchez, MS 39121.