According to organizer Roseann Reggiano, this year’s Tenth Annual Strutt Your Mutt pet fair and dog meander was the “best ever.” The Parks & Rec’s Assistant Director of Recreation said after expenses, $2,300 was raised to help sustain and improve the local Park and Bark dog park at Fairfield Hills.

Canines of all ages, shapes, sizes, and temperaments stepped off just after 11 am for a quick loop of the campus before returning for contests, games, and a dip in a few cool doggie pools set up on the sunswept grounds.

“This tenth year celebration was the best ever,” Ms Reggiano told The Newtown Bee. “I have received many compliments from pup owners on the wonderful event we put on. It was amazing.”

Participating pooches received gift baskets and trophies for events including: Best Kisser, Best Hula, Best Trick, and Highest Jumper in both a large and small dog category. A doggie relay race was also held for large and small dogs.

More than 20 sponsors helped underwrite the event, and most were represented onsite displaying or promoting their products and services.

Park and Bark is a slightly-larger-than-two-acre site on Old Farm Road, off Wasserman Way, adjacent to the new Brian J. Silverlieb Animal Care and Control Center and across the road from the Governor’s Horse Guard.

Features in the park include two fenced play areas — a large general play space and a smaller separate section for smaller, older, and more timid dogs. Drinking water is available seasonally, along with shade structures, trees, and benches for human and canine park visitors.

The park includes agility course elements and other special features. Learn more at [naviga:u]newtownparkandbark.org[/naviga:u], or the group’s Facebook page, and make plans to attend the annual Howl-O-Ween event for dogs and owners coming up in October.