Jackson County's annual dog festival is back this Sunday, with more than 90 vendors, agility runs, and a Halloween costume contest descending on the Kemper Outdoor Education Center in Blue Springs. The 32nd annual Dogtober Fest runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 8201 S. Jasper Bell Road, and admission is free for anyone who brings a bag or can of dog food to donate.
As reported by FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV, Jackson County Parks + Rec is aiming to collect roughly six tons of dog food this year, with all donations going to the Lee's Summit Animal Shelter and other participating local shelters and rescues. That goal is well within reach based on recent history: attendees donated 6.2 tons, or 12,400 pounds, of dog food at the 2025 event, according to the Missouri German Shepherd Rescue.
Games, Agility Runs, and a Costume Contest
The free festivities include activities, demonstrations, games, and competitions designed for dogs of every size and experience level, per the station's report. The station's report mentions bobbing for biscuits and musical discs. A Halloween costume contest for dogs and their owners kicks off at 1 p.m., with a separate group costume competition also available.
For owners looking for more structured competition, ticketed activities include the Canine Adventure Challenge, Agility Fun Runs, Teacup Agility Fun Runs, Nose Work Practice Search, Obedience Show & Go, Rally Show & Go, and Trick Title Evaluation. Pricing runs $7 for one ticketed activity, $12 for two, and $4 for each additional event, the same account notes.
A Historic Estate Turned Community Hub
The Kemper Outdoor Education Center sits inside Fleming Park on the east side of Lake Jacomo and serves as an event space. The county uses the facility for field trips, summer camps, and public events throughout the year. Just a week before Dogtober Fest, the center hosted a separate dog-friendly hike called Walktober on Sunday, leading participants through four distinct Missouri ecosystems — a seasonal wetland, tallgrass prairie, cactus glade, and forest community — along the Western Auto Trail.
Fleming Park itself is Jackson County's largest, spanning more than 7,800 acres across Lake Jacomo and Blue Springs Lake and drawing over 1.3 million visitors annually, according to Visit KC. Established in the 1950s, the park also features two full-service marinas, campgrounds, and a Native Hoofed Animal Enclosure.
County Executive Promotes Event Amid Federal Indictment
Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota, quoted in event promotion, said Dogtober Fest “brings our community together for a great cause” and lets people bring their dogs along. LeVota, who owns two dogs named Hank and Charlie, encouraged residents to attend, enjoy the parks, and help the festival reach its six-ton dog-food goal.
LeVota serves as interim county executive. In August 2026, LeVota was indicted by a federal grand jury on five public corruption charges, including bribery and honest services fraud, according to KCUR. Federal prosecutors alleged LeVota offered county government positions to a political opponent to induce them to drop out of the 2026 county executive election, allegations LeVota has categorically denied during a press conference.
