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5th Annual Barktoberfest Scheduled

September 28th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

Saturday, October 1, Downtown Cumberland is going to the dogs – and the cats and a fire truck or two. The fifth annual Barktoberfest, sponsored by the Allegany County Animal Shelter and Downtown Cumberland Business Association will be filled with plenty of activities for children and adults, and a few for the animals, too. The two organizations are teaming up with the Allegany/Garrett Counties Volunteer Fire Rescue Association, as well.

The Allegany County Animal Shelter adopt-a-thon will be at the Liberty Street stage from 11 am – 3 pm. “We have chosen October because it’s National Adopt-A-Shelter Dog month. Our shelter is the first and only one of two, no-kill municipal shelters in the state of Maryland. We want all our animals to find their forever homes,” commented Tina Rafferty, Executive Director of the shelter. “We’d love to have them all adopted at Barktoberfest. All the adoptable animals will be up-to-date on their shots and we spay or neuter all our adopted animals.”  As part of the shelter’s tribute to first responders and military veterans, adoption fees will be waived for any first responder or military veteran at Barktoberfest.

In addition to the adopt-a-thon, the shelter is teaming up with North Branch Veterinary Hospital and will offer rabies shots and microchipping. The rabies shots are $15/animal and microchipping is $20/animal. First responders and military veterans may also bring their pets to the event for a free microchip.

Interested parties should bring proof of home ownership or written permission from their landlords. Adoption applications will be available but are also available online at www.alleganyanimalshelter. The shelter’s adoption center located at 716 Furnace Street will also be open on Saturday from 9 am – 3 pm. Cats and kittens are also available for adoption at the shelter’s satellite feline adoption location at The Book Center, 15 N. Centre Street, Cumberland, as well as PetSmart on Winchester Road, LaVale.

“We plan to have all kinds of activities throughout the day and are very appreciative of all the support we have received from local businesses and organizations” added Rafferty.

DJ Mark Stevens will be on hand spinning music from the past and the present from 11 am – 3 pm. Barktoberfest will also feature a bake sale in front of Barkin’ Basement Thrift Shop, 45 Baltimore Street. In conjunction with Barktoberfest, Barkin’ Basement will hold a Half Off Everything Sale on Saturday.

Joining Barktoberfest, the Allegany/Garrett Counties Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association will be bringing a fire truck and other emergency services apparatus 

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