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As evidenced by canine Lucy Mosley, even pooches like to party once in a while. Organizers are hoping for a crowd of pooches to participate in inaugural contests including an obstacle course and a tug of war during the third Dog Days at Round Peak Vineyards.

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County residents wanting to spend a little quality time with their pooches this weekend should make plans now to attend the third annual Dog Days at Round Peak Vineyard.

This year’s event, the third time it has been held at the vineyard, is set to run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the vineyard, located at 765 Round Peak Church Road in Mount Airy.

Owner Kari Heerdt said that since the vineyard is dog-friendly year-round, it only makes sense to hold the event at the picturesque location.

“It’s just a natural fit for us to partner with local dog rescue organizations and work with them to raise money to do good things in our community,” she said.

Heerdt said that while she considers last year’s event a success, she’s hoping for bigger and better this year, noting that a similar event has been held in downtown Mount Airy, but isn’t being held this year.

She said this year is the first time Dog Days will feature doggie contests.

“This year, we’re having a couple of different things for the four-legged visitors to the vineyard,” she said.

Throughout the event, visitors will be able to adopt a pet through one of the local rescue organizations.

This year, Kim Baker with Kritter Kutz also will be available throughout the day to bathe the vineyard’s four-legged visitors. Anyone wishing to have their dogs washed can simply walk up and pay a fee to enjoy the day with a freshly-washed pet. Fees will range from $10 to $25, depending on the size of the dog.

But there will be something for visitors to enjoy throughout the day, organizers say.

At noon, the Mount Airy Police Department will present a demonstration of the department’s K-9 unit.

At 1 p.m., the first of two dog contests will get under way, with a canine pie eating contest, a P’nut butter kissing contest and a cutest dog contest.

Heerdt said that the pies will be specially made for the four-legged competitors.

“They’re going to be doggie pies,” she said with a laugh. “It will be dog-friendly.”

The second contest — the inaugural Doggie Olympics — will get under way at 2 p.m., with a tug-of-war, dog races and an obstacle course.

There will be something for two-legged visitors to the vineyard Saturday as well, according to Heerdt.

“For humans, we’re going to have wine, beer and food throughout the day, and there will be both wine and beer tastings,” she said. “This year, we’re doing the wine tasting on the back patio so dogs can sit with their owners and other dogs while doing the wine tasting.”

The event is free and open to both the two- and four-legged public.

Heerdt said there is still room for more vendors at this year’s Dog Days.

Event organizer Jane Taylor of Mayberry4Paws, a advocacy group for spaying and neutering, said anyone who would like to be a vendor should email her at mayberry4paws@gmail.com.

Following the Dog Days event, Heerdt said she hopes the crowd will stick around for a summer favorite, Grill Fest at Round Peak.

“Every Saturday during the summer we stay open until sunset, and people can bring a picnic and sit and listen to music,” she said. “Steven Lindsley will be performing this Saturday, and as always, we’re dog-friendly so people can stick around and enjoy the music with their pets.”

For more information, call Round Peak Vineyard at 352-5595.

Reach Keith Strange at kstrange@heartlandpublications.com or 719-1929.