The fourth annual Wagfest and Fair will return to the Posse Grounds Park Pavilion at 525 Posse Ground Road from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 16. This year’s programming will include a costume contest, a dog talent show, games, an obstacle course and a canine art exhibition that is an effort to get older shelter dogs adopted.

“Wagfest is an opportunity for the fourlegged members of our community to come out and bring their human companions for a fun day of celebrating their dogs,” Parks and Recreation Special Event Coordinator Jason Vargo said. “It’s going to be a more interactive experience than it’s been in the past. More than anything, it’s another opportunity for our local dog lovers to gather and share a community experience.”

The fair is sponsored by a pet supply store in West Sedona. Attendees will receive gift bags if they are among the first 100 to arrive and can enjoy amenities such as meat broth snow cones for the dogs or adventurous humans, canine art exhibits and educational displays.

“We’re going to have a costume contest and a talent show [with prizes for winners in both events],” Vargo said. “We’re also going to have a game of musical sits. It’s going to be a doggy version of musical chairs, where, while the music is playing, the dogs will be walking with their owners around in a circle. When the music stops, the last [dog] to sit properly is out until there’s only one.”

The talent show will replace a bark and howl contest, since most of the dogs had stage fright and most of the barking was done by their owners.

“We decided this year to open up a broader opportunity as a talent show,” Vargo said. “So people can showcase what their dogs are truly good at and the remarkable things that they’re able to do as opposed to trying to get them to bark or howl on command … I don’t know [what talents will be displayed] but I’m looking forward to what people will bring. Obviously, there’s basic stuff, like shake or roll over. But there are a lot of opportunities for people to showcase their dogs’ special talents or quirks because every dog is unique. So I’m interested to see what people will bring to the table.”

“[There’s also] the pet parade, which is an opportunity for the attendees to have a walk across the stage in front of everyone,” Vargo said. “It’s about having a shared experience in celebration for the dogs. So the pet parade is an opportunity for the dogs to take the stage and have their walk across the dogwalk — you can’t call it a catwalk.”

As the event will be short, a single food truck will be serving up “pup cups” that combine meat broth with snow. “There will be everything from dog treats, leashes, collars, bowls, and all sorts of dog [accoutrements for sale] with several booths for shopping, several booths for learning and more,” Vargo said.

Vargo described the presentation schedule as being more “free-flowing” than in the past, and said that it will consist mostly of education on how to support pet adoptions and how to responsibly manage pets in the public space.

“I plan to interview pet owners to find out things about their relationship with their pet,” Vargo said. “How they met and what type of dog they are — just more of an interactive experience. The focus will not be so much on presentations this year. But there will be educational booths. There will be some opportunities for shopping and free items from several locations.”

The event requires that all dogs must be vaccinated and leashed. All dog handlers must be 18 years old or older and supervise their pets at all times, and are responsible for cleaning up their dog’s messes.