BarkFest Highlights: Local Businesses, Rescue Dogs & K9 Demos in Swansboro
On Saturday, September 28th, Swansboro went to the dogs—in the best way possible! 🐾 The town’s first-ever BarkFest at Swansboro Municipal Park was a smashing success, with local families, dog lovers, and their furry companions gathering for a day full of fun, learning, and community spirit.
From the moment you arrived, the event buzzed with excitement.
Local small businesses and artists set up shop, offering unique dog-related products, services, and mouthwatering food from food trucks (Capone's A Taste of Philly , De La Rosa’s Super Antojitos, and Sunset Slush of Swansboro/ Cedar Point ). For dog owners looking to spoil their pets or grab some tasty bites, there was something for everyone.
One of the highlights was Adoption First Rescue, showcasing their adorable adoptable dogs.
This wonderful organization helped connect rescue dogs with potential forever families. Seeing these lovable pups find new homes was truly heartwarming!
Bravo Team K9 wowed the crowd with their impressive dog training demos. Whether you’re a dog owner or simply a fan of well-trained pups, these demos were inspiring and informative.
For those seeking a creative touch, the event offered a fun craft activity: painting your dog’s paw print on a small canvas. Participants loved the idea of taking home a unique memento from the day. It was an adorable, colorful keepsake celebrating their furry family member.
Special guests included Onslow County K9 Gus and Swansboro’s Fire Department dog, Riggs, who made rounds with his firefighter friends. Riggs is not only a favorite at the firehouse, but he also helps educate local children in school programs, teaching life-saving lessons like "Stop, Drop, and Roll."
Another star of the show was Bernie, the newest member of the Swansboro Police Department. Bernie, a Great Pyrenees, is officially known as the Administrative Assistant's Assistant—a role we think he’s taking very seriously! This fluffy guy was an instant hit with the crowd, and we’re excited to see him around town in his new role.
Hosted by EXP Realty and Atlantic Bay Mortgage Group, BarkFest was packed with activities, from exciting K9 demonstrations to creative crafts for dog lovers. With so much happening throughout the day, it’s safe to say that BarkFest was a barking success!
We can’t wait to see what Swansboro has planned for next year’s BarkFest—hopefully even more dogs, more activities, and more wagging tails!