Sign up for email newsletters

Sign up for email newsletters

You won’t find any “no dogs allowed” signs at this event.

In fact, dog owners are encouraged to bring their furry friends to Bark on Biddle, a three-day festival in downtown Wyandotte designed to provide hours of entertainment for families and their dogs.

The event takes place June 3-5 in the parking lot on the riverfront (just off Oak Street, east of Biddle Avenue) and a grass section of Bishop Park. Those who attend the event will find a variety of pet-related activities, vendors, doggy fashions, homemade dog treats, unique dog toys, as well as samples of dog food and treats.

One of the event’s major attractions is the Ultimate Air Dog Jumping Competition. If you have a dog that loves to run, jump and swim — this is the sport for your canine.

But even if you don’t have a jumping dog, it makes for a great spectator sport. Jump times are at 5 and 7 p.m. Friday; at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Saturday; and at 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Sunday. Register at UltimateAirDogs.com.

The Disc Dogs of Michigan show will feature an entourage of dogs that do high-flying, Frisbee snatching, record setting, amazing tricks and other things most people should find entertaining. Three shows will be performed daily — 4:30 p.m., 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday and 12 p.m., 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

For dogs who love the thrill of the chase, Lucky Dogs Lure Coursing will be on-site all weekend. The object of the game is to catch the lure. This game, which will be open during event hours, requires an additional fee.

Bark on Biddle also offers a rare occasion where people can enjoy food and listen to music — alongside hundreds of dogs. The Beer Garden will be open daily, where attendees will be able to listen to live music, grab a bite to eat from food trucks, or enjoy a Tito’s Handmade Vodka cocktail.

Half Light Music will perform 6:30-9 p.m. Friday. Whiskey for Ransom will take the stage 2:30-5:30 p.m. Saturday, followed by Just 2 Guitars, performing 6-9 p.m. The musical entertainment winds down Sunday with Andy Patalan, who performs beginning at 3 p.m. and concluding at 6 p.m.

Dogs may participate in one of many contests throughout the weekend to win a variety of prizes. The contests include Smooch Your Pooch, Furminator (biggest hairball competition), Costume Contest, Wiener Dog Race, Pug Run, Best Trick Contests, Puppy Dash (6 months and younger), Corgi Race, Small Dog Run (under 12 pounds); and Chihuahua Race.

To register your dog for any of these contests, sign up at the side of the stage at least 30 minutes prior to the contest start time.

New this year will be the Puppy Foam Party, where owners can let their puppies run, jump and play in foam. According to event organizers, the foam has no dyes or chemicals and is safe for pets.

Rescue Row will host several local animal rescues looking for loving families to put their adoptable pets in forever homes.

All well-behaved dogs are welcome to attend this event, but must be on a 6-foot leash. No retractable leashes are allowed.

Bark on Biddle organizers said any dog showing signs of aggression will be asked to leave. Also, owners are reminded to pick up after their pet.

Dog drinking stations will be situated around the venue. No outside coolers or chairs will be permitted.

There’s a $5 admission fee in advance or at the gate. Kids 12 and under are free. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Detroit Dog Rescue. Advance tickets are available at BarkonBiddle.com.

Bark on Biddle is made possible by the support of sponsors that include Community Choice Credit Union, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Westside Distributing, Faygo, 360 Event Productions and the Wyandotte Downtown Development Authority.

Sign up for email newsletters

We invite you to use our commenting platform to engage in insightful conversations about issues in our community. We reserve the right at all times to remove any information or materials that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, libelous, defamatory, obscene, vulgar, pornographic, profane, indecent or otherwise objectionable to us, and to disclose any information necessary to satisfy the law, regulation, or government request. We might permanently block any user who abuses these conditions.