Good Boy Bakery, located in Coshocton, Ohio, is bringing the first ever Dog Fest to Coshocton Lake Park. The new event will feature several attractions such as dog dock diving presented by Ultimate Air Dogs. Ultimate Air Dogs was formed by former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher, Milt Wilcox, and his son Brian. Wilcox played for several MLB teams including the Cincinnati Reds, the Cleveland Indians (Guardians) and the Detroit Tigers during the 1970s and '80s and was the winning pitcher in Game 3 of the 1984 World Series. 

Brad Fuller and his wife Cathy, who own Good Boy Bakery, a bakery for dogs, began working on the Dog Fest in June of 2023. Brad, who is the festival manager said, “Dogs are considered by many to be an important part of the family. They travel with their dogs and spend a great deal of time with them. This is one reason that we decided to celebrate dogs with a festival devoted to them.”

In addition to Ultimate Air Dogs dock diving, the group Performance Dogs of Ohio will be entertaining at the festival as well. Bringing the excitement of frisbee pitch and catch choreographed to music and performing with their human handlers, Performance Dogs of Ohio are a popular attraction when they unleash the enthusiasm and energy of these flying canines. A lure course will also be opened for visiting dogs to test their speed and agility. 

Event co-coordinator Cathy Fuller added, “This festival is going to be a blast to attend. What we have planned is fun and excitement for dog lovers of all ages. But the best part is that the Coshocton Dog Fest is also a fundraiser for the Coshocton County Animal Shelter (HATA) to help further their mission of finding owners or new homes for displaced animals.” 

A Food Truck Festival will also take place in Historic Roscoe Village on the same day and is just a short distance from the Dog Fest. A walking path connects the two venues, and a shuttle bus will be operating to take attendees from one festival to the other. Both festivals and the shuttle bus rides are free and open to the public. For additional information, visit coshoctondogfest.com or email coshoctondogfest@gmail.com.

The Coshocton Dog Fest is a 501c3 nonprofit organization.