Our annual Bark in the Park event will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians.

Admission is $4 per person and $1 for children 5 and under. At Bark in the Park, dogs will have the opportunity to compete in the following contests: cutest puppy (limited to puppies 6 weeks to 4 months old), most handsome, most beautiful, best trick, best owner look alike, best dressed, best smile, best tail wag and a new category, best singer.

Dogs that have been adopted from our local shelter can also compete in the Mr. NACHS or Miss NACHS competitions.

It only costs $2 to enter your pet in any category, and you may enter as many of these categories as you wish.

Trophies will be awarded. Our emcee will be Eddie Ray, from KFNV 107.1 The River/KWTG 104.7 The Gator Radio. There will be T-shirts and concessions for sale. Local artist, Kay Browning, has again generously designed a unique Bark in the Park T-shirt for our event.

Special thanks goes to our wonderful sponsors who help us make this event possible for the Miss-Lou.

We are also excited to announce our third annual, Blessing of the Animals, which will be in just a few weeks at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 2 at Grace United Methodist Church.  The Rev. Darian Duckworth will preside over this special service. There is no admission charge for this event.  Animals may be brought in carriers or on leashes to the event. If your pet cannot travel to the blessing or if your pet does not socialize well with others, please come yourself and bring a photo of your pet or pets.

Our special thanks to Grace UMC and Rev. Duckworth for hosting this unique event once again for all pets of the Miss-Lou.

The Natchez-Adams County Humane Society has lots of other events scheduled before the end of the year.

If you would like to become a member of the Natchez-Adams County Humane Society, please send your contact information and annual membership fee of $15 for individuals or $20 for a couple to P.O. Box 549 Natchez, MS 39121.

We ask that all four-legged participants at Bark in the Park be well mannered around others and that they keep their owners on a leash while at the event!

We hope to see you Saturday.

Susan Mingee is a resident of Natchez and serves as secretary of the Natchez Adams County Humane Society.