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Bark in the Park Rushden 2026

Bark in the Park Rushden 2026 | A Great Dog Friendly Family Day Out in Northamptonshire

If you’re looking for a fun day out with your dog in Northamptonshire, Bark in the Park is well worth adding to your diary. Taking place in Rushden on Sunday 6th September 2026, this popular charity event brings together dog owners, local businesses and charities for a relaxed day of competitions, shopping, food and entertainment.

Organised by Rushden Town Council, Bark in the Park has become a popular fixture in the local calendar. Whether you’re entering one of the fun classes or simply looking for a dog-friendly family day out, it promises something for everyone.

You can find the latest event information on the official Rushden Town Council website:

View the official Bark in the Park event information

Event details

  • Date: Sunday 6th September 2026
  • Time: 10:00am – 4:00pm
  • Venue: The Walled Garden, Hall Park, Rushden, Northamptonshire, NN10 9ES
  • Dog show starts: 11:00am
  • Entry fee: £2 per class

Rosettes will be awarded down to 6th place, with winners from most classes going on to compete for Best in Show 2026.

What’s happening?

There’s plenty to enjoy throughout the day, including:

  • 14 fun dog classes
  • Charity and trade stalls
  • Milo’s Magnificent Tombola
  • Hog Roast
  • Fun Scurry, £1 per session
  • Cake, Peroni and Pimms
  • Local pet businesses and charities

The event officially opens at 10am, with judging beginning at 11am before finishing at 4pm.

Fun dog classes

There really is something for every dog, with classes including:

  • Cutest Puppy
  • Young Handler
  • Most Handsome Dog
  • Waggiest Tail
  • Prettiest Bitch
  • Rushden’s Scruffiest Mutt
  • Most Appealing Eyes
  • Rushden’s Finest Fancy Dress
  • Golden Oldie, for dogs aged 8 years and over
  • Best Condition & Movement
  • Best Rescue
  • Mayor’s Choice
  • Best Family Group, for 2 or more dogs
  • Fastest Super Sausage Eater

Whether your dog is beautifully behaved, wonderfully scruffy or simply loves sausages, there’s a class to suit.

Before you go

To help everyone enjoy the day, organisers ask that:

  • Dogs remain on leads at all times.
  • Instructions from stewards and officials are followed.
  • Dogs in season are not brought onto the showground.

Sponsored by Gladwells Pet & Country Stores

This year’s event is proudly sponsored by Gladwells Pet & Country Stores, whose Rushden branch has long supported local pet owners and community events.

Looks like a great day out

Although we haven’t been to Bark in the Park ourselves yet, it certainly looks like one of those events that’s easy to spend a few hours at. With plenty going on throughout the day, it’s a great excuse to get out with the family, meet other dog owners and enjoy everything the event has to offer.

If you’d like to see what it’s all about, have a look at the Bark in the Park Facebook page, where you’ll find photos and videos from previous years.

Visit Bark in the Park Rushden on Facebook

Supporting local pet events

At SortedPets, we’re always happy to share local pet events that help bring together pet owners, businesses and charities. If you know of an upcoming event in Northamptonshire or the surrounding area, let us know and we’ll take a look.

Useful links

Please note: At the time of writing, the organisers haven’t announced which charity or charities will benefit from this year’s event. We’ll update this article once further information is available.

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