“Howl-o-ween,” a canine costume party to benefit Friends of Newtown Park and Bark, will be held Saturday October 26, from 1 to 3 pm. It will be on the campus of Fairfield Hills, near the intersection of Keating Farms Avenue and Simpson Street.

Prizes will be awarded for most original costume, scariest costume, funniest costume, dog and owner look-alike, and best in show.

The fun family event, sponsored by Newtown Parks and Recreation, also offers activities such as a relay race, haystack treasure hunt, hot dog toss and tic-tac-paw.

Refreshments for dogs and their people will be available. Cost is a $5 tax-deductible donation per dog.

Newtown Park & Bark is the town’s planned off-leash dog park. A volunteer group of resident dog lovers who joined forces in 2009 in order to establish a well-designed off-leash dog park in Newtown. The town has provided land, just over two acres on Old Farms Road, adjacent to the Brian J. Silverlieb Animal Care and Control Center. Fundraising for the park continues for construction and the ongoing maintenance of the park.

For more information visit NewtownParkandBark.org or find the group on Facebook.