DOWAGIAC — For those who believe there are no bad days when you come home to a dog’s love, Under the Harvest Moon in downtown Dowagiac has just the event for them.

Deb Rohdy, owner of Bow Wow Bakery & Bath in downtown Dowagiac, will present the fall festival’s annual Parade of Halloween Hounds on Saturday, Oct. 13.  Hosted by the Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce, this community’s autumn celebration also features a display of new and vintage farm tractors and an outdoor marketplace of more than 30 vendors of handmade goods, produce and baked goods, and offers a full day of fun and entertainment for families. 

The Parade of Halloween Hounds is open to children, adults and families that would like to dress up their dog in Halloween attire and parade them on Front Street.  Pet owners who dress in costume can also vie for an award.

Participation in the parade is free of charge. Pet owners will gather outside Bow Wow Bakery & Bath at noon before parading the downtown. Prizes will be awarded in two categories: best pet costume, and best pet and owner costume.

“Pet lovers go out of their way to find the perfect costume for their dog,” Rohdy said.  “Our judges are excited to see this year’s creative costumes.”

Corporate sponsors of the festival are: Creative Vinyl Signs, Dowagiac Area History Museum, Kim MacGregor’s office of Edward Jones, Forest Glen Assisted Living, Hale’s Hardware, J&H Oil Company, Leader Publications, Mennel Milling of Michigan, Preferred Printing, Skibbe Business & Tax Service, Smoke Vision Care, Southwestern Michigan College, Town & Country Garden Club and William’s A-1 Expert Tree Service.

Festival goers will also enjoy wood carving demos, music by the Van Dyke Revue and Rene Meave, performances by MKSOD, Positively Dance and the Pokagon Drum & Dance Group, plus interactive cardio drumming demos by Lifestyle Nutrition. 

“Be sure to bring your appetite,” said Vickie Phillipson, Chamber of Commerce program director and festival chairman.  “For lunch, families will have a choice of Cass County’s best pulled-pork sandwiches, chicken and ribs, or brats and hot dogs, grilled over an open flame by Smokin’ Good BBQ of Cassopolis.  Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy Caruso Candy Kitchen’s apple and cider bar, and cinnamon ice cream topped with warm apples, Hubbert’s Kettle Corn and sweet elephant ears.”

The Taste of Michigan Wine and Craft Brew will be hosted by The Wounded Minnow Saloon on its outdoor patio.  The restaurant will also feature acorn squash and four other seasonal soups and is sponsoring the Corn Hole Tournament.

For a full list of activities, to register for commercial booth space or to make arrangements to place a vintage farm tractor on display, visit DowagiacChamber.com, its Facebook page or call the Chamber at (269) 782-8212.