On Saturday, Bowmanstown Area Residents Connected held its seventh annual dog show at the Oliver Solt Pavilion beside the Bowmanstown fire company.

There were a total of 10 categories that the dogs could be entered into. The categories included: best dog costume, best dog trick, best tail wagging, most well-behaved dog, fluffiest dog, cutest dog, manliest dog, girliest dog, best “puppy eyes,” and best dog/owner look-alike.

There were three judges who judged the dogs, and prizes were awarded to each of the first-, second- and third-place winners.

Host of the dog show, BARC President Kara Scott explained why she believes residents enjoy the dog show event so much.

“I think dogs bring people together. When you have a group of dog-lovers, they love to come and watch other dogs. It’s fun, it’s a great way to get out and it’s a great way to meet your neighbors.”

Participant Maryann Yurchak said that she enjoyed talking with all of the people at the event about their dogs.

“I love dog people. I could stay here for hours just talking about dogs, not just my dogs but anybody’s dogs.”

Yurchak’s Afghan hound named Layla won first place for two categories: girliest dog and best dog/owner look-alike.

Since it was her first time attending the dog show, Yurchak did not even know that best dog/owner look-alike was going to be a category.

When asked if she has ever been told her dog looks like her, Yurchak responded, saying, “Yes, all the time,” attributing their similarity to the color of their hair.

Participant Jessica Ballas also competed at the show with her Leeshond named Vixen and Bernese mountain dog named Valentino.

Vixen won first place for fluffiest dog, second place for both best dog trick and cutest dog and third place for best dog costume. Valentino won first place for best dog trick and cutest dog and second place for manliest dog.

Ballas also enjoyed the event, saying, “People love their dogs, they’re part of the family. It’s such a fun event to bring your dogs outside and enjoy other dog-loving enthusiasts.”

Both Yurchak and Ballas said that they would both enjoy attending the BARC event again in the future.

All of the proceeds earned through the dog show will go toward grant money and community projects to improve the Bowmanstown community.

Scott shared some of the progress BARC has made so far.

“Through the funding that we’ve got now and through the help from the grants through the D&L Trail, we’ve put in four benches, a message board that we’ll be putting in and two bike racks.”

Scott thanked businesses and supporters who donated for the event.

After the show, participants were also invited to stay afterward for a blessing of the dogs prayer service performed by Pastor Anthony Pagotto of Trinity Lutheran Church.

To see a photo gallery of the dog show, visit www.tnonline.com.