The 2023 Pawtoberfest returns to Bear Creek Park Sept. 16

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO)-- This weekend, dog owners will soon head to Bear Creek Park for a barking good time at this year’s Pawtoberfest. 

The event is a stacked day of fun in the sun and brings together two favorite things: dogs and beer.

As attendees make their way to the event, not only are they in for a family-friendly community event but they'll also be helping the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region (HSPPR) raise $200,000 for its homeless animals. 

The Pawtoberfest will be held on Saturday, September 16, at the Bear Creek Regional Park. 

As Colorado's only dog-friendly festival, this event is complete with craft brews and spirits tasting, a 2-mile dog walk, freebies, music, pet contests, activities for the whole family, and plenty of scrumptious food from local food trucks. 

All ticket proceeds will help fund programs benefiting homeless and abused animals in the Pikes Peak Region. 

Advanced Registration for the Pawtoberfest ends at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, September 14. General Admission for adults will be $55, children ages 13-20 are $40, and those 12 & under are free. 

The Pawtoberfest registration gets guests craft beer and spirits tasting in the beer garden, a commemorative tasting glass, walk entry, and festival entry. 

Best of all, ticket purchases will benefit the homeless and abused animals at HSPPR.

For ticketing information, click the link here. 

Rain or shine, this event will be a day full of fur and fun! Below is a full schedule for the Fest: 

• Dog Walk 
  • Bear Creek Regional Park East 
  • 9 a.m. at Norris Penrose South Lot
• Festival 
  • The festival will take place at Bear Creek Regional Park West and will start at 10 a.m. with a dog-friendly shuttle bus service from the parking lot to the festival starting at 9:30 a.m. 
  • Festival hours: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
  • Must bring ID to participate in brews and spirits tasting. 

Parking for the event will be at the Norris Penrose Event Center’s parking lot, located at 1045 Lower Gold Camp Rd. The walk starts near the parking lot and ends at the Festival. 

Dog-friendly shuttle buses will start at 9:30 a.m. and will run throughout the day from the Norris Penrose parking lot to the Festival at Bear Creek Regional Park West, for those wishing to skip the walk and proceed directly to the Festival.