FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                  

MOON + STARS PRODUCTIONS
ANNOUNCES NEW
BARKFEST EVENT FOR
DOGS + THEIR HUMANS FALL 2025

SEPTEMBER 20 + 21, 2025
RED RIVER EXHIBITION PARK

BarkFest The Ultimutt Dog Party! is Raising the Woof! in Support of Local Animal Rescue Groups

WINNIPEG, MB, April 22, 2025 - Moon + Stars Productions Inc. is proud to announce the inaugural year of BarkFest The Ultimutt Dog Party! September 20 + 21, 2025 at Red River Exhibition Park, along with their Raising the Woof! fundraising initiative in support of local animal rescue groups.

BarkFest welcomes dog lovers and their furry friends to this weekend-long festival of fun celebrating everything DOGS! Over 40,000 square feet of retail space in the BarkFest Market located in Red River Exhibition Place will showcase 100+ local vendors with the latest in dog-related products, services, and fashions to keep pups on point. The event will also include over 25 entertainment features for dogs and humans both inside and outside on the festival grounds at Red River Exhibition Park.

Entertainment and Features include X-Treme Dogs Agility Performances, Doggy’s Got Talent Contest, Dapper Dogs Fashion Show, Barkitecture Dream Doghouses, K9 Academy, along with interactive activities and treats for pups like the Zoomies Zone, Downward Dog Spaw, Scratch + Sniff Adventure and more! This weekend of fun for the whole family also includes Pawcasso Arts + Crafts Centre, Barkery Cookie Decorating, Dog Fortune Teller, Puparazzi Selfie Wall, Mascot Meet + Greets, plus bouncers and games in the Kids Fun Zone.

The K9 Café and Eats + Treats Food Trucks will be serving up bevvies and snacks for both people and pups, and it’s always Yappy Hour at the Barks + Brews Tent and Whine + Muttini Bar. And guests can up their pooch’s game with a VIP (Very Important Pup!) Ticket + Wag Bag loaded with toys, treats, samples, and special offers, a copy of BARKS + BONES Magazine, and VIP Fast Pass Priority Entry!

“This has been a passion project in the making for me for many years,” said Sherri Rheubottom, BarkFest Producer + Director of Marketing. “I’ve been producing events for 30 years, and I’m so excited to finally create this dream event where we can support so many local talented vendors and also help raise funds and awareness for all the animal rescue groups that work so tirelessly to rescue and find forever homes for animals in need. And it’s going to be a lot of fun because BarkFest is an event for all ages, from kids to seniors and everyone in between, so there’ll be something for everyone and their dog.” 

“Our goal with BarkFest is to produce a purposeful and relatable event that’s fun for humans and dogs of all ages. Dogs change lives, put smiles on faces, and make us better people,” said Yoko Chapman, BarkFest Producer + Creative Director. “Sherri and I have worked together for over 15 years and we’re both dog crazy. Many of our projects have had a charitable component and we’re excited to be able to join forces and create an event and magazine that raise funds for animal rescue groups. If you don’t already have a dog before you go to BarkFest, we’re pretty sure you’ll want to adopt one by the time you leave!”

BarkFest’s Raising the Woof! fundraising initiative is supporting local animal rescue groups including K9 Advocacy Manitoba, Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue, and Manitoba Underdogs Rescue with the goal of finding furever homes for adoptable animals, and much needed funds for the important work they do.

 Quick Facts:

 • 100% of net proceeds from the Rescue Raffle 50/50 + Prize Draws, Barkitecture Doghouse Design Contest + Raffle, and Paw Path Floor Decals, and 10% of net proceeds from BarkFest Merchandise and BARKS + BONES Magazine advertising will be donated to this year’s chosen animal rescue group recipients.

• BarkFest is also donating complimentary Rescue Road market booths and providing promotional support to 10 local animal rescue groups at the event, and in BarkFest’s Official Print Magazine + Event Guide, BARKS + BONES Magazine.

 Quotes:

 “We are so excited to participate in BarkFest! It will be amazing celebrating dogs with people who love them as much as we do. Looking forward to raising awareness about rescue and having a fun weekend as well!”

– Chelsea Kork, Director, K9 Advocacy Manitoba

 “We are honoured to have been chosen as one of the recipients for the Raising the Woof! fundraising initiative as we rely heavily on donations from our supporters. We are very much looking forward to participating in BarkFest The Ultimutt Dog Party! Hope to see you there!”

– Maxine McQuarrie, Director Fundraising & Events Manager, Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue

 “We’re thrilled to be part of the very first BarkFest! It’s such an incredible way to connect with our community, celebrate dogs, and share the work we do at Manitoba Underdogs. Events like this help us raise awareness, rally support, and hopefully inspire more people to get involved – whether that’s adopting, fostering, being a part of the greater dog community, or just stopping by to say hello.”

– Jessica Hansen, Executive Director, Manitoba Underdogs Rescue

Tickets for BarkFest go on sale Thursday, May 15 at BarkFestMB.ca, stay tuned for more details. Adults $22, Kids 5-12 $8, and VIP (Very Important Pup!) Wag Bags $39. Free Admission for Dogs, Kids under 5, plus Free Parking! Limit One Dog per Adult Attendee 18 years of age or older. Event hours: 10 am to 5 pm daily. For more information visit BarkFestMB.ca. Vendors interested in participating in the BarkFest Market can Request Information Here.

Stay Connected! Follow Us on Facebook and Instagram #BarkFestMB2025

Download BarkFest Media Kit Here

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About Moon + Stars Productions Inc.

Moon + Stars Productions Inc. is a producer of special events, festivals and markets, and the publisher of BARKS + BONES Magazine, the newest in a series of lifestyle publications featuring local people and pets, businesses, art and design, and food and fashion with a fundraising component for Winnipeg not-for-profit organizations.

Media Contact:

Sherri Rheubottom, Producer + Director of Marketing
BarkFest / Moon + Stars Productions Inc.

P: 431.557.5114  E: sherri@moonandstarsproductions.ca