Bring Your Dog to Paws in the Park (East Aurora, NY) — September 26

August 4, 2026

A scenic walk through a state park, a dogs-only hot dog eating contest, and a whole festival where your co-pilot is the point — if that sounds like a good Saturday, aim the car toward western New York. Paws in the Park is exactly the kind of dog-first outing we love to spotlight.

What it is

The SPCA Serving Erie County hosts Paws in the Park at The Stables at Knox Farm State Park, 345 Buffalo Road, East Aurora, NY 14052, on Saturday, September 26, 2026. It centers on a scenic 1.5-mile dog walk and blossoms into a full festival: Best Trick and Best Costume contests, a new dogs-only Hot Dog Eating Contest, a vendor market, a kissing booth, raffles, and Buffalo food trucks. Every registered walker goes home with a t-shirt and a pet bandana.

Why it is a great outing with a dog

This is a rescue fundraiser built around dogs from the ground up, so the whole atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Knox Farm's open, grassy paths give a well-mannered dog room to move without the tight, hot squeeze of a paved show field, and late September in western New York usually means cool, comfortable walking weather — a welcome change from the swelter of summer meets. A social pup will collect a lot of new friends here, and the whole day supports a shelter doing good work.

One thing to sort before you go

The board notes this clearly: dogs are welcome (even on the shuttle), and registration is required. Because it is a registered walk, do not just show up — sign up in advance through the host so you are counted, get your walker t-shirt and bandana, and know the day's schedule. A two-minute registration now saves confusion at the gate.

Co-pilot packing tips

Leash on, short and fixed. A 1.5-mile walk with lots of dogs is no place for a retractable — keep your dog close and give others space.
Water and a collapsible bowl. Even on a cool day, a full walk works up a thirst. Offer water at the start, the turnaround, and the finish.
Watch the pavement and the pace. If a stretch of lot or path is sun-baked, do the back-of-the-hand test and route across grass instead. Let your dog set a comfortable pace.
Clean up, every single time. Carry extra bags — it keeps the park welcoming for the next dog and the next event.
Never leave your dog in a parked car. Not for the vendor row, not for a few minutes. If your dog cannot be with you, leave them somewhere safe and cool.

The treat that keeps focus sharp

Between the costume contest, the food trucks, and that dogs-only hot dog eating spectacle, distractions are everywhere — and your recall is only as strong as your reward. Our freeze-dried dog treats are single-ingredient, high-value, and mess-free, which makes them perfect for keeping a pup dialed in on a busy festival field (and for rewarding a clean walk without greasy pockets).

Make a day of it

Knox Farm and the East Aurora area are worth exploring, so plan the whole outing around your dog. Use the Dog Adventure Plotter to map your drive, rest stops, and a dog-friendly patio afterward, and see what else is coming up on the Sniff & Shift Events Board.

Before you go

Event details are curated from public listings and can change, so confirm the date, hours, registration, and current pet policy directly with the SPCA Serving Erie County before you head out. The full listing lives on our event page.

Back to blog