Riverside Taphouse and Main Street Elizabethton are hosting the 3rd annual Barktoberfest in Downtown Elizabethton at Covered Bridge Park on Saturday, October 14 from 2 pm – 7 pm. The event will feature a beer garden, music, local vendors, pet resources, food trucks, yard games, and pet contests! Everyone is invited to bring their dogs on leashes along with the whole family. Barktoberfest will feature a full line-up of activities designed to showcase pups, plus German-style beer and food to celebrate the season.

Pet contests and pup cake walks will take place every hour. The contests kick off at 3 p.m. with the Puppy Costume Contest. Dogs one year and younger are encouraged to enter dressed up in their best Halloween attire. The next contest, Strut Your Mutt, starts at 4 p.m. Dogs of all ages are invited to enter and flaunt their proud walks for the entire crowd to see. The Best Trick Contest begins at 5 p.m. All trick levels are welcome, from handshakes to circus tricks. The final contest, Doggy & Me, starts at 6 p.m. Dogs of all ages are invited to enter, along with their humans, to showcase their coordinated Halloween costumes. Contest and cake walk entries can be paid with cash or card at the Main Street tent during the event. One contest/cake walk entry is $5, two entries is $7, and three entries is $10.

Riverside Taphouse’s beer garden will feature a dining area thanks to Elizabethton Federal Savings Bank, a shaded lounge area courtesy of the Elizabethton River Riders, and a pet agility course provided by Off Leash Social. Oma’s Haus, a regional German restaurant and bakery, will serve authentic German schnitzel, bratwurst. and pretzels. Elizabethton’s Taco51 will have a variety of tacos, nachos, and street corn. The Coffee Company, a downtown staple, will serve their famous German potato salad, kolaches, iced & hot coffee with a German chocolate flavor option. 

In addition to the beer garden and food trucks, Barktoberfest is proud to feature local pet-centric businesses and resources for the community. Vendors include Auntie A’s Barkery, Made on Elk, Petsense, Camp Ruff-N-More, and Friends of the Elizabethton Carter County Animal Shelter. All are encouraged to shop at the local businesses and learn more about pet resources throughout the region.

Barktoberfest event proceeds benefit the Friends of the Elizabethton-Carter County Animal Shelter to create a low-cost spay/neuter clinic and the Downtown Pet Friendly Program’s effort to bring pet amenities to the downtown district.

Barktoberfest is hosted by Riverside Taphouse and Main Street Elizabethton. For questions, contact Main Street Director Courtney Bean at (423) 213-0090 or cbean@cityofelizabethton.org.