MADISON – Disguised dachshunds and spooky spaniels will rule the day at the fifth annual Barks and Boo’s, a fundraising event for American Cancer Society.

The outdoor fun will run from 1 to 4: 30 p.m. on Oct. 12 in Big Spring Park’s western section in downtown Huntsville. Officials encourage pet owners to dress their dogs in costumes.

“Barks and Boo’s will be haunted by cute dogs and scary costumes. We’ll have thousands of dollars in raffles and giveaways,” Melissa Cox said. Cox is founder of Petz Pack, an event sponsor.

At Bark and Boo’s, visitors can enter their pets in a costume contest, which ranges from comical to frightening get-ups. Games with a canine theme, raffles and other contests will fill the afternoon to help the Huntsville area’s Relay for Life.

At past events “everywhere you looked, there was a dog participating in one of the games. Everyone had a great time,” Cox said.

Activities involve plenty of rewards for the pets and include Bobbin’ for Hot Dogs, Treat Stacking, High Five for Treats, Stay/Long for Treats, Cup Game, Which Hand, Ball Catch, Down for Treats, Sit for Treats and Expert Tricks for Treats. At the Pup Cake Walk, sponsored by A Barker’s Dozen, players can win cupcakes for their dogs to enjoy.

Raffles will end with thousands of dollars in prizes for both the canines and their companions.

The afternoon’s main event will be the costume contest. Dogs can enter in three categories: cutest, scariest and best overall.

In 2018, winners for cutest costume were the doggy duo Henry VIII and Buddy the Executioner. The scariest costume prize went to Kayla Stuart’s dog Ollie, who was dressed as villain Freddy Krueger from “A Nightmare on Elm Street” movies.

Rain, the three-legged pirate dog, claimed the award for best overall costume. Owner Jennifer Bethig dressed Rain in a pirate outfit and turned a wagon into Rain’s pirate ship.

“It is our hope that the monies from efforts such Barks and Boo’s will bring us that much closer to a cure for humans and canines alike,” Cox said. “Canines are caregivers for cancer patients, too.”

The 2018 event raised about $3,200.

For more information, call 256-682-4078, email woof@petzpack.com or visit Facebook/Barks and Boo’s.