Get ready for a day of tail wags and family fun as Bark in the Park returns to Lower Castle Park on Bank Holiday Monday, 26th May 2025, from 11am to 4pm. Organised by the RSPCA Essex Mid & North in conjunction with Hospital Radio Colchester’s Family Fun Day, this all-day event promises something for everyone – whether they have two legs or four.
“We’re thrilled to be leading this year’s Bark in the Park as one of the Mayor of Colchester’s five chosen charities,” said Derrick Yapp, Income Generation Manager at the RSPCA Essex Mid & North Branch. “It’s a celebration of the mayor’s passion for dogs and her legacy of supporting events like this. Hospital Radio Colchester have a great history of holding their annual family fun day here, so
we jumped at the chance of teaming up with them and are proud to be part of something that brings the whole community together.”
Entry to the event is £5 on the day, with proceeds going to the Mayor’s charity fund, which supports Colchester Pride, Guts UK, Royal Association for Deaf People (RAD), Support Our Paras, and the RSPCA Essex Mid & North.
Dog Shows with Heart and Humour
The main highlight? A fun-packed dog show with ten paw-sitively delightful classes:
- Best Boy
- Best Girl
- Cutest Puppy (Under 12 months)
- Golden Oldie (Age 7+)
- Best Rescue
- Perfect Pedigree
- Cutest Cross-Breed
- Best Trick
- Best Young Handler (Under 16)
- Musical Sit Game
Entry to each class is £3 in advance via Eventbrite or £4 on the day.
A mix of local and international businesses will serve as guest judges, each bringing unique prizes for class winners. To top it all off, the Mayor of Colchester will be judging all class winners for the prestigious Dog of the Day award at the end of the event.”
Fun for the Whole Family
While the dogs take centre stage, there’s plenty to entertain the whole family. The Family Fun Day is packed with activities and attractions, including:
- Fun Fair rides
- Bouncy Castles
- The famous Duck Race
- Arena entertainment, featuring:
- Live music
- Dance performances
- Cheerleading displays
- A magic show
- Dog agility demonstrations
- Tasty food and drink stalls
- Games, tombola, raffles, and charity stalls galore
It’s not just a dog show – it’s a community celebration.
Get Involved
Sponsors already on board include Master Fluid Solutions, Tiptree Jam, Skylarks, Gabe & Co, Always Raw, and All About Petts. A few spots are still available for guest judges or those wanting to contribute to the event.
To find out more or get involved, email income.generation@rspca-northessex.org.uk.
For full Family Fun Day details, visit: www.hrcolchester.co.uk/funday2025
Mark your calendars and bring the whole pack – it’s going to be a pawsome day in the park!
