The second annual Bark For Life of Boyertown Area will take place Sunday, Oct. 5, at the Oley Valley Fairgrounds.
Registration will open at 10 a.m. and is also available online. Parking will be available at the fairgrounds. Activities are scheduled throughout the day.
The American Cancer Society Bark For Life is a noncompetitive walk event for dogs and their owners to raise funds and awareness for the American Cancer Society’s fight against cancer. By supporting Bark For Life, you help the American Cancer Society save lives, and that helps us move closer to our ultimate goal of a world with less cancer and more birthdays. A good portion of that money stays right here in Berks County and is used throughout the Boyertown and Oley Valley communities. The rest goes towards cancer research throughout the country. Participants are asked to bring dog essentials to be donated to area rescues including dog food, paper towels, blankets etc. Items can be dropped off at the registration table.
Opening ceremonies will take place at 11:15 a.m. There will be a short program that will include a welcoming and mission statement from Amy Miller, ACS representative, introduction of our Grand Marshal Sherry Sperring and her K-9 caregiver, Playgirl. There will be a survivor lap at 12 p.m. There will be a Quoit tournament taking place throughout the day for humans; sign-ups begin at 8 a.m. and games starting at 9 a.m. Each team is guaranteed 10 games followed by playoffs. The top 3 teams will receive trophies.
There will also be a guitar raffle of an Agile AL-3010SE Tribal Red Slim Gold HW. Tickets will be available. Other activities include The PetValu Dog Costume Contest at 12 p.m. Prizes will be given to the winners. A kids corner, crafters tables, dog massages, Riki, and Harry’s Tattoo trailer will be there as well. Patt Veterinary Hospital will also be offering chipping throughout the day and Fuzzy Days Grooming will be offering K9 nail clipping and nail painting.
There will be food available for purchase and much more.
Special this year, the Bark is presenting Howling For A Cure. This free concert will be taking place throughout the day and feature national recording artist, Stephanie Grace at 6 p.m. Stephanie will be available after her performance to sign CD’s. Other artists performing include Coahoma Soul at 4:30 p.m., John Reinkemeyer and Mark Ferrero at 3 p.m., Krusty and the Timebomb at 1:45 p.m. and starting the day off Yolanda Spohn at 12:30 p.m. Please bring your own chair to use while enjoying the concert.
Grand Marshal Sherry Sperring and K-9 caregiver, Playgirl will be available throughout the day to hear more about their story. Playgirl came into Sperring’s life during her very strenuous battle with cancer. She truly believes her recovery was greatly increased by having Playgirl by her side. There is much research on the benefits of therapy dogs decreasing blood pressure, decreasing depression and much, much more.
Sponsors of the Bark For Life include Pheasantland Roller Rink, Merkel’s Shoes, R B Candy’s, Dynamite Crafts, Gilbertsville Vet Hospital, Simply Sherry’s Unique Cakes, Petsercise, Scentual Gardens Soap, Pet-Value, Goods Potato Chips, Gramia’s Restaurant, Passmore Service Center, Tara Honey, Mark Memo and Penny Pierson.
If you are interested in more information on the Bark For Life of Boyertown Area, to join a team or make a donation, check out their website at www.relayforlife.org/barkboyertownoleypa, call Bob Olock at 610-781-4313 or like them on Facebook at Boyertown/Oley Bark For Life.
