Jack London Square goes to the dogs this weekend

Annual free, family-friendly DogFest event benefits Canine Companions

Oakland, Calif. – October 17, 2024: Jack London Square will host the Canine Companions Bay Area DogFest event on Saturday, October 19, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the plaza near Plank restaurant. DogFest is the culmination of a multi-week program supporting Canine Companions. The non-profit helps people with disabilities by providing expertly trained service dogs free of charge. The celebration kicked off with fundraising opportunities earlier in the month and will end with the free, family-friendly fun at DogFest this Saturday.

“Jack London Square is a prime Bay Area entertainment venue, and the Port of Oakland is pleased that we can once again provide the location for DogFest,” said Port of Oakland Chief Real Estate Officer Jonathan Veach. “We embrace opportunities to steward the waterfront for community gathering events, especially when they represent a good cause.”

During DogFest, attendees will enjoy Halloween-themed fun coupled with educational and entertaining activities for the whole family, including:

• Canine Costume Contest: Guests are invited to bring their dog dressed in a Halloween costume to compete in a best-dressed contest; categories include best duo or group and funniest and most creative; winners of each category will be awarded prizes; dogs must be well-behaved and leashed while on the property
• Kid’s Zone: Children will enjoy dog-related games and activities in the event’s dedicated Kid’s Zone
• People + Pooch Crafts: Attendees and their favorite furry, four-legged friends will enjoy a paw-painting craft activity
• Pup-tacular Prizes: Registrants will enjoy giveaways from event sponsor Eukanuba, and canine costume winners will win fun prizes for themselves and their furry friends
• Touching Real-Life Stories: Canine Companions representatives will share stories about the people whose lives have been changed by having the assistance of a well-trained service dog
• Service Dog Demonstrations: Service dogs will demonstrate the kinds of tasks they perform to help people with disabilities, including picking up dropped items and delivering them to their handler, helping with transactions, and opening and closing doors
• Dog Art: To take part in this community art project, pet parents can help their fur babies put their paw prints on a large canvas, writing their name next to the print, to contribute to a large tribute mural
• Dog-Related Vendors: Guests will enjoy a variety of dog-themed vendor pop-ups, including informational booths hosted by local veterinarians as well as dog clothing, dog treats and dog accessories for sale
• Upbeat Music: Upbeat music will enhance the party-like atmosphere throughout the event
• Dog Treat Gift Bag: Guests who visit any Jack London Square restaurant or eatery and donate to Canine Companions will receive a free dog treat gift bag. To obtain their gift bag, guests must show their server a screenshot of their donation (offer valid only on October 19, one gift bag per donation, while supplies last)

About the Port of Oakland

The Port of Oakland generates vital economic activity, community benefits and environmental innovation, as the Port decarbonizes its operations for a cleaner and greener future. Along with its partners, the Port supports 98,345 jobs in the region and $174 billion in annual economic activity. The Port oversees San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport, the Oakland Seaport and nearly 20 miles of waterfront including Jack London Square, and a publicly owned utility. The Port of Oakland is Everyone’s Port! Connect with the Port of Oakland and San Francisco Bay Oakland International Airport through Facebook and Twitter, or with the Port on LinkedIn, YouTube, and at  www.portofoakland.com.

Media Contacts