HOLYOKE –  The Parks and Recreation Department in Holyoke is gearing up for a fun family event that will feature something that most people love: dogs.

Sarah Kukla, an event planner with the Holyoke Parks and Recreation Department, served as one of the dog show coordinators. Kukla told Reminder Publishing the department has hosted dog shows in previous years, including last year, but it isn’t an annual event.

She said the department decided to host a dog show because “There’s a dog park in Community Field, we do have a dog following, and everyone loves dogs.”

Despite the show taking place in Holyoke and being hosted by the Parks and Rec. Department, Kukla said participants don’t have to live in city limits. “Everybody is welcome,” she said.

While the event isn’t the department’s biggest fundraiser, Kukla said any money made during the event goes “to improve the parks,” including improvements to the dog park.

Despite it being her first dog show, Kukla said a lot of people have been asking about and anticipating the event. “It’s my first year, what I’m hearing is that there’s a decent turnout,” she explained. “We had people stopping in January and asking about it, wanting to enter their dogs.”

The dog show will take place on Feb. 22 from 1 to 3 p.m. in the gym of the Holyoke High School on 500 Beech St. Participants wanting to enter their dogs in the show will pay $5 per category they wish to enter their pet into. Categories include celebrity look-alike, dog and owner look-alike, best smile, best dog trick, best dressed, fastest tail-wagger, fluffiest, pooch that can smooch, most obedient, best groomed and best in show.

Winners of each category will receive ribbons and prizes, while all participants will receive dog-friendly goodie bags. Kukla said the prizes are donated by sponsors, and the event is run by volunteers.

In addition to the show, Kukla said there will be several pet vendors located in the gym while the show is taking place. She also added that there is still room for interested vendors to sign up. Pre-registering pets for the event is also strongly encouraged. Interested vendors and participants can register by calling the Parks and Recreation Department at 322-5620 or by stopping by City Hall at 536 Dwight St. Admission is free for spectators.