Howl-O-Ween, a howling good time!

A howling good time is expected as the Happy Tails Animal Shelter project hosts Howl-O-Ween from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, under the basketball pavilion at Portacool Park in Center.

Admission is free and open to the public. Attendees who would like to support the effort to bring Center and Shelby County an animal shelter and related services are invited to register to receive an event t-shirt and doggie bandana for a $25 donation.

Registration will be available at the event or pre-registration on Eventbrite can be completed by visiting: happytailstexas.org. The t-shirt features the Happy Tails mascot, “Scrappy,” in his ghostly fun Halloween costume.

Howl-O-Ween features several contests for dogs and their owners while family focused activities include games for small children, balloon shapes, an inflatable bounce house, pumpkin decorating, a raffle and blessing of the animals, organizers said.

Balloon animals and shapes will be provided during the event by Leah Chase and “Chasing A Twist.” Free mini-pumpkin decorating will also be available.

Food will be provided by The Fluffly Dumplin and Fryz food trucks with picnic tables available. Master of ceremonies will be radio personality Chris Watlington.

A face painting station will also be available. Helping at Howl-O-Ween will be Center High School students representing the Junior Chamber of Commerce and National Honor Society.

The pet contests will include the awarding of medals for first, second and third place. The tentative schedule includes:

·11-11:15 a.m. – Blessing of the animals by Sherry Harding with Shelby County Outreach Ministries.

·11:30 a.m. - Doggie costume contests with medals for small, medium and large dog categories.

·11:45 a.m. – Best Dog Biscuit Catcher.

·12 p.m. – Waggiest dog tail contest

·12 p.m. ­– Pet and owner Look Alike Contest

·12:30 p.m. – Best trick dog competition

·12:45 p.m. – Best doggie overbite contest

·1 p.m. – Best Ball Retriever competition

·1:15 p.m. – Best Dog Speak (Barking) contest

·1:30 p.m. Cutest Dog Contest.

Happy Tails Adoption Center (HTAC) Animal Shelter of Shelby County is a new non-profit organization with the goals of establishing pet adoption and foster programs, Spay It Forward – a spay and neuter program, a pet food pantry, and eventually an animal shelter to serve Center and Shelby County, according to Stephanie Elswick, president.