Springfield Regional Arts Council

About Arf-Fest

Sunday, April 27
1 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Jefferson Avenue Footbridge
Commerical Street, downtown Springfield

$3 Admission, children 10 and under free
$5 admission includes entry into either or both competitions

The Springfield Regional Arts Council (SRAC) and Springfield Animal Advocacy Foundation (SAAF) are seeking sponsors and vendors for a brand new event, Arf-Fest, Sunday, April 27, at the Jefferson Avenue Footbridge Plaza area on Historic C-Street (Commercial Street). For the past six years, Arf-Fest has been a part of Artsfest on Walnut Street, but this year, due to the overwhelming popularity of the dog parades, the fun and frolicsome canine event will have its own “day in the sun.”

Sandra CH Smith, executive director of SRAC, says, "We believe Arf-Fest can stand on its own four feet! We're encouraging all our ArtsFest friends to attend and support the event which will also benefit SAAF, a new animal advocacy group formed recently with the goal of eliminating homeless pets in Springfield."

Area rescue and pet welfare groups invite the community to learn more about their efforts towards no more homeless pets. Animal Abuse Council, CARE (Castaway Animal Rescue Effort), Laws for Paws, Pet Conntction, SNAP (Spay Neuter Assistance Program), and SW MO K9s announce the initiation of an SAAF fund at Community Foundation of the Ozarks where the various groups’ efforts can be rewarded with contributions to help in their collaborative works.

Arf-Fest begins at 1pm in the "Pet Pavilion" in the C-Street Market area which will be filled with booths representing pet products, services and care purveyors of the area. At 2pm, contestants in the ever-popular "Beauty Show & Parade" will compete for fabulous prizes in categories like largest/smallest, most like owner and other equally whimsical categories. There will also be the Pussycat Lounge set up in the private parking area next to the Footbridge Plaza where dog-owners and others can slake their thirst.

Kristin Farr, longtime Arf-Fest organizer, says, "This is the most fun I have all year and the best part is seeing all the terrific pet owners who bring their prized pooches to the parade year after year! We’ve got quite a canine following!"

New events this year will include "Pets of the Past," a competition for the most interesting historic pet/owner combination, potentially a lavish costumed extravaganza parading across the historic Jefferson Avenue Footbridge to be judged by an esteemed panel of judges. Cash prizes will be awarded for this event. Also new this year will be "Plein Aire Pets," a gallery of pet portraits by a variety of local painters, sketch artists and photographers, many of whom will be on site to do pooch portraits.

For more information or to book a vendor space, contact the Springfield Regional Arts Council, 862-ARTS (2787)