BERLIN – Residents are invited to show off their pets while supporting a good cause at Berlin’s first Bark for Life event.
On Friday, Nov. 13, Bark for Life will be held in Berlin from 5-7 p.m. The event, which includes a pet costume contest and a walk through Berlin’s historic downtown, will begin at the Berlin Fire House.
“This is an American Cancer Society-sponsored event that welcomes dogs and their owners to fight back against cancer together,” said Cate Nellans, a member of Ocean City Young Professionals and co-chair of the event. “Cancer touches so many. This event gives our community an opportunity to support the cause as a family — including their canine family members.”
Registration for the event begins at 5 p.m. at the fire house on Main Street. There, participants can sign up — the cost is $10 for an individual and their dog or $35 for a family of four people and three dogs. Attendees will also have the chance to enter the event’s pet costume contest, register for a door prize and buy tickets for a 50/50 raffle.
From there, participants and their pets will walk through downtown Berlin during the town’s monthly art stroll. Nellans said there would be stops along the route to honor those affected by cancer as well as visits to sponsor businesses.
Walkers are invited to gather at Sisters on Main Street at 8 p.m., where organizers will name contest and raffle winners.
Nellans said volunteers from the Ocean City Young Professionals group were eager to help bring a new event, particularly one that supports such an important cause, to the area. Typically, Bark for Life events help raise awareness for the American Cancer Society and at the same time honor the animals whom so often through their companionship play a key role in the lives of cancer survivors.
“It was a unique event that has not been hosted in Worcester County yet, and it works as a feeder to the well-known Relay for Life events,” Nellans said.
Organizers are still looking for sponsors for the Nov. 13 event. Several sponsorship levels are available, ranging from the “Great Dane Investment” at $1,000 to the “Yorkshire Terrier Investment” of $75. Those interested in sponsoring should contact Nellans at [email protected], Kate Hulme at [email protected] or Sara Sabia at 443-880-8654.