On one special day of the year, the tailed, taloned, brindled, hoofed and honking stage a cacophonous takeover of Auburn’s Game Farm Park.

In 2024, that day is Saturday, May 18, when the Auburn critter spectacular Petpalooza comes home to Game Farm Park from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“We are gearing up for a very exciting Petpalooza festival,” said Kristy Pachciarz, who is coordinating the event for Auburn Parks, Arts and Recreation.

Stroll the festival vendors for all your pet needs, including free nail trims, free microchipping, and other discounted services. Make sure to get your photo taken with your best beast, and don’t forget to drop by ArtRageous hands-on activity booths — and for goodness sake, test out the free agility area.

Petpalooza will feature live entertainment that will include, among others, Reptile Isle and the popular Emerald Downs “Unleashed” Pet Contest. Two live bands will play the perfect tunes for you to enjoy as you sip a cold beverage from the Downtown Auburn Cooperative’s beer and wine garden, which is adjacent to the stage. Petpalooza also offers pony rides, the Family Dog Training Center’s agility area, and Seattle FlyDogs demonstrations.

People attending with children will want to be sure to visit the petting zoo, a 15-feet-by-50-feet zoo with the option to pet, brush and feed sheep, mini pigs, wallabies, goats, cavies, bunnies and more.

Inflatable rides and face painting are also popular free attractions for the kiddos. A pony ride vendor will be available for pony rides for a nominal fee. Children can enjoy the parrot show and the reptile show, held on the stage in the morning. One of the more popular attractions is the Northwest Pet Contest, held on the stage at noon.

Auburn’s Dog Trot kicks off the Petpalooza festival at 9:30 a.m. The Dog Trot starts/finishes at Game Farm Park.

Registration is $25 per person and includes an event T-Shirt, full-color race bib and a finisher’s medal. The event is “chip-timed” by Bell Lap Productions.

The city expects 10,000-plus at this year’s festival.

But pack your patience when looking for parking. The neighborhoods adjacent to the park are great options. Come in the back entrance or use the crosswalk and enter from R Street Southeast. All event details are at www.auburnwa.gov/petpalooza.