It’s a bird! It’s a plane! No, its Brookhaven Animal Rescue League gearing up for BARKFEST 2015. The family fun day will be Saturday, May 9 on the campus of the Mississippi School of the Arts.

The day will kick off with the “Heroes for Rescues” 5K and Fun Run at 8 a.m. For this costumed race, participants are encouraged to bring their dogs and come dressed as their favorite superhero. The race will be timed and medals awarded for male and females in each age division, as well as, for most original costume. Pre-registered fees for the race are $25 per adult, $10 per child and $5 per pet. Pre-registered runners will also receive an event T-shirt. Pre-registration deadline for the “Heroes for Rescues” 5K is May 1.

“We, at BARL, believe heroes come in all shapes and packages, from the person who scoops our dog yards daily, to the person that adopts our pets, to the animals themselves. Every person and every animal has a special quality or ability that makes them extraordinary,” said Samantha Sivils, BARKFEST coordinator.

Live entertainment will begin at 9:00 a.m. featuring local talents such as Stone Water, Montanna White, Baleigh Larkin and Clint Gooch, Southern Classic Cloggers and Out of Nowhere.

Percy King’s “Amazing Animals” will feature exotic animals and be set up next to the BARL merchandise booth. Vendor booths will be open throughout the day.

Donna’s catering will have chicken plates onsite. Each plate will include chicken tenders, fries, a roll and a cookie, and Donna’s very own “Canes-style dipping sauce.” Tickets are $8 and should be purchased in advance at the BARL Adoption Center or by contacting Julie Montalvo at 601-757-1057.

The “Brookminster” dog show will start at 11 a.m. Categories include: Most Terrific Trick, Obedience School Drop-Out, Most Glamorous, Best Smile, Wiggliest Bum, Most Vocal, Twinsies! (owner/dog look alike) and Celebrity Doppleganger. Pre-registration is $5 per entry or $20 for unlimited entries. Pre-registration deadline is May 1. Day of contest fees are $8 per entry or $30 for unlimited entries. Prizes include trophies and bragging rights.

The Dog Zone will feature BARL’s Smooch-a-Pooch booth, a grooming station, a photo booth, Puppy “Pupcasso” painting and more. Games and contests will begin every half hour. A jump house, face painting, balloons and games will run all day at the Kid’s Zone. Spiderman and Batman will also be on site to take pictures.

A few of the BARKFEST sponsors include Gator Signs, Bank of Franklin, Franklin Telephone and Nena Smith’s School of Dance.

“We encourage everyone to bring their family and pooches out to BARKFEST, along with their lawn chairs, for a day of fun to support the Brookhaven Animal Rescue League,” said Sivils.

Event and vendor registration forms can be found online at www.barl.net. Contact samanthasivils@gmail.com or 601-695-1987 for more information on BARKFEST 2015.

BARL’s mission is to humanely care for shelter animals while contributing to community activities that reduce pet overpopulation, encourage responsible pet ownership, protect public health and safety, and promote the human-animal bond.

BARL is a nonprofit, volunteer based, limited-admission animal welfare organization serving Copiah, Franklin and Lincoln counties. BARL provides food, shelter and veterinary services for homeless animals until they are adopted.

All BARL animals are vet checked, vaccinated and spayed/neutered. Dogs are also micro-chipped.

Anyone interested in adopting, contributing, or volunteering should contact BARL at 601-757-4367 or info@barl.net. Donations are tax deductible and may be mailed to BARL, P.O. Box 3477, Brookhaven, MS 39603.

Many of BARL’s adoptable animals may be viewed online at www.barl.net.