Baltimore Animal Rescue & Care Shelter (BARCS) will hold its third annual BARCStoberfest this weekend.

The event, sponsored by Baltimore City Mayor Sheila Dixon, will be held from 11a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday (it's being rescheduled from Saturday due to rain) in Patterson Park (corner of Eastern and Linwood).

“This is a festival specifically geared to you and your pet, with lots of activities, entertainment and information,” said Jennifer Mead-Brause, BARCS’ executive director. The event will feature a low-cost microchip clinic, a scavenger hunt, a Silly Agility Course, children activities, a silent auction, a raffle and several pet contests.

Local vendors of pet-related products and services will be on hand, as well as experts in animal health and wellness.

The popular Pet Costume Contest is back, just in time for Halloween. Other featured contests include Best Trick and Owner/Pet Look-a-Like.

Thousands of people and their pets attended BARCStoberfest over the past two years, raising $26,000 for BARCS’ efforts to protect animals through adoption, education and the promotion of responsible pet ownership.

Mead-Brause anticipates the turnout to be even stronger this year. For those looking for a pet, plenty of adoptable animals will be available on-site, including animals from BARCS, as well as pure-breeds from area rescue groups. All proceeds from this event benefit the animals of BARCS.

Pets on leashes are welcome.

Entrance is free but some activities require donations to participate.Due to rain, the event has been rescheduled for Sunday. BARCS is a non-profit organization created in 2005 that works in conjunction with the Baltimore City Bureau of Animal Control.

For more information visit BARCS website at www.baltimoreanimalshelter.org