Everything from fairs to fashion shows will benefit homeless pets

Check out the Barking Beauty Pageant to benefit Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter on Sunday, Sept. 25, starting at 4 p.m. in West Orange.

It's the weekend and a variety of pet-related events are taking place now or in the weeks to come. Check out what's going on and mark your calendars:

• PUPTOBERFEST, Saturday, Sept. 24, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Craigmeur picnic grounds, 1175 Green Pond Road. This seventh annual event will benefit Eleventh Hour Rescue. For everyone, including their four-legged friends, this event will feature contests, paw painting, pet photos, games, contests, canine good citizen testing, food, entertainment and more. Rescued dogs will be available for adoption, too. Cost is $5, individual; $10, family. Fee is waived for previous Eleventh Hour adopters. For more information, visit www.ehrdogs.org or call 973-664-0865.
•  BARKING BEAUTY PAGEANT TO BENEFIT MT. PLEASANT ANIMAL SHELTER, Sunday, Sept. 25, 4 p.m., The Loft at the Wilshire Grand Hotel, 350 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange. Participating pooches will vie for a grand prize package, which includes a fashion photo shoot and an original Ed Hardy Pet Lounger. Category winners and runners-up will receive prizes. Celebrity judges will be Leslie Hughes, host of the "National American Miss" pageant and star of "NYC's Doggie Moms." She'll be joined by her Yorkshire terrier, SalliSue. Other celebrities will take part. For more information or to register a dog, visit www.thebarkingbeauty.com. Registration is encouraged for those planning to attend. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at the door. Audience members may bring leashed dogs.
•  RANDOLPH COUNTRY FAIR, Saturday, Oct. 1, rain or shine, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Town Hall Field, 502 Millbrook Ave., Randolph. Stop by the Randolph Animal Pound tent and take part in a tricky tray, kitten adoption and a dog costume with prizes for all. The contest begins at 12:30 p.m. There will be food, music, prizes and activities for children. For more information, call 973-886-1485 or e-mail Doggie54@optonline.net.
• O.S.C.A.R. DINNER DANCE, Saturday, Oct. 29, 6 to 10 p.m., The Barn at Hillside Park, 146 Iliff Road, Andover, to benefit One Step Closer Animal Rescue in Sparta. Tickets are $25, adult/$15, children 6 to 15 (in advance); $30, adult; $20, children 6 to 15 (at the door). No children under age 6. For tickets, make checks payable to: O.S.C.A.R. and mail to P.O. Box 248, Sparta, NJ 07871.