MEDIA RESOURCES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                

WHO'S A GOOD FESTIVAL?

BARKFEST THE ULTIMUTT DOG PARTY! RETURNS THIS FALL

PRESENTED BY VETSTRATEGY

SEPTEMBER 26+27, 2026
RED RIVER EXHIBITION PARK

EARLY BIRD TICKETS ON SALE, JULY 24

Weekend-Long Festival of Fun Celebrating Everything Dogs + Raising Funds for Animal Rescue Groups!

WINNIPEG, MB – July 22, 2026 – Grab the leash and get ready for the best car ride ever! BarkFest The Ultimutt Dog Party! Presented by VetStrategy, is back for its second year bringing two unforgettable days of tail-wagging fun to Red River Exhibition Park on September 26+27, 2026. Early Bird Tickets go on sale Friday, July 24 at 10am at BarkFestMB.ca.

More than just a weekend-long celebration of everything DOGS, BarkFest is a community event with a purpose, raising awareness and vital funds for local animal rescue and advocacy organizations. With over 25 attractions and interactive experiences across the indoor and outdoor festival grounds, guests can spend the weekend sniffing out the 40,000 square foot BarkFest Market, where 100+ local vendors will showcase the latest in dog-related products, services, treats, fashions, home décor, health & wellness, artisan goods, and more.

Festival Highlights:

•  High-Energy Entertainment: Dumbledogs Agility Performances, Wiener Dog Races, and Chase the Lure

•  Interactive Fun + Pampering: Zoomies Zone, Scratch + Sniff Barn Adventure, Dog Spaw, Dog Fortune Teller, Puparazzi Selfie Wall, Pawtery Painting Studio, and Pawtraits + Illustrations

•  Family + Community Favourites: BarkFest Market, K9 Academy, Howl-o-ween Fashion Show, Meet the Breeds, Healthy Hounds Wellness Centre, Puppy Party, and Pawblic Library

•  Kids Fun Zone: Arts + Crafts, Face Painting, and Stuffy Riders Furway

The K9 Café and Eats + Treats Food Trucks will be serving up bevvies and snacks for both people and pups. For those looking to pupgrade their experience, a VIP (Very Important Pup!) Ticket includes a Wag Bag loaded with goodies, a copy of BARKS + BONES Magazine, plus VIP Priority Entry. Guests can even reserve a premium seat for the Ultimutt VIP Dining Experience at the Barkery Bistro Tea Pawty with Flour + Flower or Bark Bar Yappy Hour with Tavern on King Edward where they can sit and stay with friends. 

Beyond the entertainment, BarkFest remains deeply rooted in its mission to give back. Through BarkFest’s Raising Funds for Animal Rescue Groups Initiative, the event provides complimentary booth space, advertising support, and promotion to local animal rescue and advocacy groups, charities, and not-for-profit organizations to help them raise awareness, generate funds, collect valuable supplies, and find loving forever homes for adoptable animals.

At the heart of the festival is Rescue Road, where visitors can meet adoptable animals, connect with local rescue organizations, learn about animal welfare, participate in the 50/50 Rescue Raffle + Prize Draws, snuggle up in the Cuddle Corner, and discover meaningful ways to support animals in need.

Participating Rescue Road Organizations:   

•  The Beagle Alliance
•  Canadian Animal Blood Bank
•  Care Pack
•  End BSL Manitoba
•  Free From Farm Sanctuary
•  Grateful Friends Animal Rescue
•  K9 Advocacy Manitoba
•  Manitoba All Shepherd Rescue
•  Manitoba Animal Alliance
•  Manitoba Great Pyrenees Rescue
•  Manitoba Mutts Dog Rescue
•  Manitoba Underdogs Rescue
•  Pembina Valley Humane Society
•  Penny's All Breed Animal Rescue
•  Winnipeg Animal Services Agency
•  Winnipeg Giant Breed Rescue
•  Winnipeg Humane Society
•  Winnipeg Lost Dog Alert
•  Winnipeg Pet Rescue Shelter

To further support their life-saving work, these participating groups along Rescue Road will be accepting donations and supplies, helping support rescue efforts, advocacy programs, medical care, and Manitoba adoption initiatives. 

Quotes:

“At VetStrategy, we are proud to support events like BarkFest that bring together pets, families, animal lovers, and local organizations in celebration of the human-animal bond. BarkFest provides a wonderful opportunity to promote pet health, responsible pet ownership, and community engagement while creating memorable experiences for people and their pets. As a network dedicated to improving the lives of pets and the people who love them, supporting BarkFest aligns closely with our mission to make a meaningful impact both inside and outside the veterinary hospital. We are excited to be part of an event that fosters education, connection, and fun, while helping strengthen the vibrant pet-loving community in Manitoba.” – VetStrategy Manitoba, Presenting Sponsor

“We're so excited to bring BarkFest back for a second year. As Manitoba's largest dog-friendly festival, BarkFest is an immersive, dog-centric experience for all ages, bringing together thousands of animal lovers with the animal rescue and advocacy organizations making a real difference in our community. Every ticket purchased, raffle ticket sold, visit to Rescue Road, and many of our interactive features help generate vital funds and awareness for the organizations working tirelessly to improve the lives of animals across Manitoba.” – Yoko Chapman, BarkFest Producer

“BarkFest is such a fun event because it brings together people who simply love dogs. Whether you’re there to shop, watch demonstrations, meet local organizations, or to enjoy the atmosphere with your pup, there’s something for everyone. We’re thrilled to be back and can't wait to be part of another great day celebrating Winnipeg’s dog community.” – Jessica Hansen, Executive Director, Manitoba Underdogs Rescue

“BarkFest is a celebration of the bond we have with our pets and provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the many ways the Winnipeg Humane Society supports animals and the people who care for them - from finding animals their forever homes to community programs that help keep people and their pets together.” – Carly Peters, Director, Communications & Marketing, Winnipeg Humane Society

“The Beagle Alliance is incredibly grateful to BarkFest for welcoming us to such a joyful celebration of dogs and the people who love them. Every conversation, connection, and shared story helps shine a light on former research beagles and their journey from LAB to LOVE. Thank you for giving our mission a place to be seen and celebrated." – Lori Cohen, Executive Director, The Beagle Alliance

Event Details:

•  Date: Saturday, September 26 + Sunday, September 27, 2026 
•  Time: 10am to 5pm Daily
•  Location: Red River Exhibition Park, 3977 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB
•  100+ Local Market Vendors & 25+ Attractions 
•  100% of Proceeds from the Rescue Road 50/50 Rescue Raffle + Prize Draws, Dog Spaw services, Wiener Dog Races, Pick-a-Pup Adoption Kits, Face Painting, as well as a portion of proceeds from Barkery Bistro Tea Pawty and Bark Bar Yappy Hour Ultimutt VIP Experiences, and Pawtraits + Illustrations, directly support the animal rescue and advocacy groups, charities, and not-for-profit organizations featured on Rescue Road.

Ticket Details:

Early Bird Tickets Go On Sale Friday, July 24 at BarkFestMB.ca. Early Bird Tickets purchased by July 30 will be automatically entered to WIN a Dumbledogs $1,500 ULTIMUTT BARK⭐️STAR EXPERIENCE Prize Package!

•  Weekend Pass (Age 13+) - Advance $20 (Gate $24)
•  VIP (Very Important Pup!) Wag Bag Weekend Pass - Advance $39 (Gate $45)
•  Ultimutt VIP Weekend Pass – Reserved Tea Pawty Experience $195
•  Ultimutt VIP Weekend Pass – Reserved Yappy Hour Experience $195
•  Kids (12 & Under) + Dogs FREE Admission & Free Parking
•  Limit 2 Dogs per Adult Attendee (Age 18+)

Visit BarkFestMB.ca for complete event details. Follow Us on Facebook + Instagram @BarkFestMB #BarkFestMB2026

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About BarkFest / Moon + Stars Productions Inc.

BarkFest The Ultimutt Dog Party! is Winnipeg’s largest festival celebrating the bond between people and dogs. Featuring 100+ vendors, interactive attractions, and thousands of dog lovers, it creates unforgettable experiences while raising awareness and funds for local animal rescue and advocacy groups, charities, and not-for-profits. BARKS + BONES Magazine, BarkFest’s Official Print Magazine + Event Guide, showcases local businesses and organizations offering dog-related products, services, and experiences for dogs and the people who love them. BarkFest was founded in 2025 by Producers Yoko Chapman and Sherri Rheubottom.

Media Contact:

Yoko Chapman, Producer

BarkFest / Moon + Stars Productions Inc.

P: 204.612.5944  E: yoko@moonandstarsproductions.ca