From parades to egg hunts, these New Jersey events don’t just welcome you—they welcome your leashed four-legged friends, too!
April 5
Ocean Grove Easter Pet Parade
Fireman’s Park, Ocean Grove
Rescue Ridge Animal Rescue welcomes 2- and 4-legged cuties to join the parade. There will be vendors, raffles, live music, and prizes for the best “float” (decorated stroller or wagon) and bonnet.
April 12
Doo Dah Parade
Ocean City
Welcome the spring with a comedy parade of over 300 basset hounds. The pups will march along Asbury Avenue from 6th to 12th streets, ending at the Boardwalk at 6th Street.
Dog Egg Hunt
Doggie Sweets, Long Branch
Dogs will dig in the sand for eggs that contain special prizes.
April 19
Fur Baby Fest
Burlington County Fairgrounds, Columbus
The pet-friendly food, music and adoption festival features about a dozen food vendors, live music, face painting, a doggie agility course, a pet costume contest, vendor shopping, and games for everyone.
Practice Reading With a Pooch
Staten Island Children’s Museum, Staten Island, NY
Therapy dogs from Luv on a Leash are trained, insured therapy dogs who will sit calmly with your kids as they read their favorite stories to them.
April 22
Bark in the Park
Somerset Patriots Ballpark, Bridgewater
Bring your dog to the ballpark, and he or she can walk around the warning track of the field during a Pooch Parade, have a professional pet photo taken on the concourse, bring their owner to “Yappy Hour” during the game, and visit pet-related vendors along the walkways.
May 4
Paws & Feet 5K Run/Walk & Doggie Fun Day
Cooper River Park, Cherry Hill
Support Animal Welfare Association’s lifesaving programs by taking part in a 5K race or a shorter walk with your dog, and then entertainment, a vendor market, children’s activities, food and more.
May 10
Rawhide Rescue Alumni & Friends Day
John W. Lupu Memorial Post 306, Middlesex
Bring your leashed pets to this outdoor event, which will include pet adoptions, a blessing of the animals, craft vendors and food.
May 27
Bark in the Park
Somerset Patriots Ballpark, Bridgewater
Bring your dog to the ballpark, and he or she can walk around the warning track of the field during a Pooch Parade, have a professional pet photo taken on the concourse, bring their owner to “Yappy Hour” during the game, and visit pet-related vendors along the walkways.
June 1
Pups & Pints
Casino Pier, Seaside Heights
Dog Day on the boardwalk includes dog-friendly carousel rides on the chariot, doggy sundaes at Mrs. C’s Waffles & Ice Cream, and domestic pints at Pier Pub, Surf Bar & Waves Bar.
June 8
Doggie Derby & Family Fun Day
Jones Road Park, Forked River
The Rotary Club of Forked River will hold its 12th annual event, with informal doggie contests with prizes and awards, a bounce house for kids, games, vendor booths, a food court, and music by WBNJ.
June 12
Woofstock
Mini Park, Keyport
The street market includes a dog contest, live music and rescue adoptions.
June 26
Batdog Celebration
Trenton Thunder Ballpark, Trenton
Bring your pup of any breed to celebrate the team’s Golden Retriever bat dogs: the original Chase, his son Derby, and now Derby’s son Rookie and Rookie’s cousin Dash.
August 18
Bark in the Park
Trenton Thunder Ballpark, Trenton
Your dog can sit alongside you in the stadium seats, plus enjoy doggy delights aside from the ball game.
August 23
Pupstock
Sussex County Fairgrounds, Augusta
Dog activity zones include an art zone, puppy foam party, giant ball pit and splash zone. There will be pet adoptions, food trucks, live music, Yappy Hour in the beer garden and vendors.
September 3
Bark in the Park
Somerset Patriots Ballpark, Bridgewater
Bring your dog to the ballpark, and he or she can walk around the warning track of the field during a Pooch Parade, have a professional pet photo taken on the concourse, bring their owner to “Yappy Hour” during the game, and visit pet-related vendors along the walkways.
September 6
Pet Palooza Food and Music Festival
Lincoln Park, Manville
Meet adoptable pets, visit the food trucks and vendors, listen to local bands, enter your dog into a contest, and go shopping at the vendor tables.
September 7
PigDog PuppaPalooza Pooch Pool Party & Beach Walk
Morey’s Piers, Wildwood
Take a scenic walk along the beach and get a puppy swag bag for your pooch. Then cool off at Raging Waters Water Park, where pups can swim and play, and get a scoop of doggie ice cream.
October 4
Pawprints Pet Fest & 5K
Smithville Park, Eastampton
The Friends of the Burlington County Animal Shelter put on this fundraiser with food trucks, Tito’s Beverage Garden, a deejay, vendors, a kids’ zone, a pet costume contest, raffles, an adoption zone, and a 5K run/walk.
October 18
Pooch Parade
Doggie Sweets, Pier Village, Long Branch
The annual parade along the boardwalk encourages cute costumes for your pets.
October 25-26
Dog Days
Ocean City
Leashed dogs are allowed to walk the boardwalk. Saturday activities include dog-specific vendors along the boardwalk, photo-op stations, and the Humane Society of Ocean City’s “Pet of the Year” Announcement.
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Read More:
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Take Your Four-Legged Friends to These NJ Dog Parks
