As volunteers put the final touches on a hay-hunt, other helpers at the Saturday, October 26, “Howl-o-ween” canine costume party readied additional stations. The family event was sponsored by Newtown Parks and Recreation, and benefited the Friends of Newtown Park and Back and was held on the Fairfield Hills Campus.

Activities included a relay race, a haystack treasure hunt, a hot dog toss, and a “tic-tac-paw.”

Newtown Parks and Recreation Assistant Director RoseAnn Reggiano said the event drew between 50 and 55 dogs and their owners. Reggiano said the event was, “Great. Absolutely great. Everybody had fun.” Ms Reggiano attended with her dog Kiro, who wore a tiger costume for the day.

Some unusual costumes could be seen during the event, according to Ms Reggiano, who said one group — a grandfather, little girl, and a dog — all dressed in matching ladybug costumes.

Helpers for the event included Girl Scout Troop 50599 members Sophia Wolfman and Claudia Harrisonm, and Newtown Police Explorers Allison Silkowski and Emily Clark. Ms Reggiano said the Parks and Recreation Department is also thankful to Pet Supplies Plus of Brookfield and its mascot Patches, Big-Y, Caraluzzi’s of Newtown, and Mount Pleasant Hospital for Animals, for donations. “Every dog left happy,” Ms Reggiano said after the event.

Newtown Park & Bark is the town’s planned off-leash dog park. A volunteer group of resident dog lovers joined forces in 2009 in order to establish a well-designed off-leash dog park. 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.

When asked during the event about Newtown Park & Bark, Ms Reggiano said she told people to anticipate a soft opening in the late fall and a grand opening event in the spring.

For additional information visit NewtownParkandBark.org or visit the “Newtown Park and Bark” Facebook page.