By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

HELENA–Food trucks, vendors and plenty of four-legged friends were on display at the Helena Amphitheater on Saturday, Oct. 15, as Two-by-Two Animal Rescue hosted the second annual Barktoberfest.

Dog owners with breeds of all shapes and sizes enjoyed the beautiful fall weather and plenty of sunshine that drenched the park on Oct. 15 for the free event.

Some of the highlights of the event included dog adoptions, a dog wash, discounted vaccinations and microchip clinic, vendors, food trucks, bake sale, gift shop, photo booth, flyball demonstrations, a kids zone featuring pony rides and trackless train, Two-by-Two Rescue celebrity dogs, a football tailgate party area with TVs and live music.

One of those in attendance was Tony Cox, who traveled from the Over the Mountain area to Helena to enjoy the event with his dog Brutus.

“This is my first time coming to this event and it’s been great,” said Cox. “This is a beautiful area and there’s been so much to do. We actually adopted our dog from Two-by-Two a few years ago.”

There was also plenty of fun things available for dogs that included an off leash play area, treats for dogs, an area to bathe your dog and plenty of chances for dogs to interact with other breeds.

The celebrity dogs in attendance were Woody, Clarence, Chicken, Mr. Grumplestein and Willow.

Two by Two Animal Rescue is a 501 C (3) not-profit, no-kill organization. Two By Two began in 2002 when Sonya Smith began feeding strays in Old Town Helena, according to their website.

She noticed another concerned citizen had been leaving food for them too and placed a note in a bowl. The note was found. They met and combined their efforts to rescue the many stray dogs dodging traffic.

For more information on Two by Two, visit Twobytworescue.com.