What You Need for a Dog Festival

A dog festival needs more than treats and a few games. You will need separate supplies for registration, refreshments, activities, wayfinding and prizes, plus enough water for both dogs and people. Plan quantities around your expected number of dogs, handlers and volunteers, and add a small buffer for breakage and last-minute registrations. Use this list alongside your event plan so essential items are bought, borrowed or confirmed before setup day.

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What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 12
Folding chairsqty 80
Beer tablesqty 6
Registration desk
Floor matsqty 6

Tableware

Reusable drinking glassesqty 150
Coffee cupsqty 80
Platesqty 120
Cutlery setsqty 120
Serving plattersqty 20
Coffee potsqty 4
Thermos flasksqty 6

Catering

Coolersqty 6
Water dispensersqty 3
Coffee machinesqty 3
Food warmersqty 4
Serving tongsqty 12
Ice packsqty 30

Sports equipment

Agility tunnelsqty 2
Jump obstaclesqty 6
Slalom polesqty 12
Hoopsqty 4
Snuffle matsqty 6
Dog frisbeesqty 12
Dog ballsqty 20
Line postsqty 10
Stopwatchesqty 4
Prize trophiesqty 6
Rosettesqty 12

Animal supplies

Water tubsqty 18
Feed bowlsqty 8
Dog towelsqty 20
Spare collarsqty 6
Backup dog leadsqty 6
Dog crateqty 2
Dog waste bag dispensersqty 12
Drinking water jerry cansqty 8

Decorations

Festival Flagsqty 30
Balloon archesqty 3
Tableclothsqty 12
Name badgesqty 150
Race numbersqty 100
Directional signsqty 20
Info boardsqty 10
Chalkboardsqty 6

Equipment

Battery-powered speakersqty 2
Wireless microphonesqty 2
Extension cordsqty 6
Power stripsqty 6
Power banksqty 4
Walkie-talkiesqty 8

Lighting

LED string lightsqty 8
LED lampsqty 6

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Fire extinguishersqty 2
Crowd control barriersqty 20
Conesqty 30
Cable matsqty 8

Cleaning

Waste binsqty 12
Dog waste bag dispensersqty 12
Broom setsqty 4
Litter pickersqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Spongesqty 12

Kitchen

Cutting boardsqty 6
Chef's knivesqty 4
Measuring cupsqty 4
Bake cookiesqty 8
Aluminum foilqty 4
Food storage containersqty 12

Groceries

Groceries
- Spa Blauw - 120 bottles
- Spa Red - 24 bottles
- Cola - 12 bottles
- Cola Zero - 12 bottles
- Orange soda - 8 bottles
- Iced tea - 8 bottles
- Apple juice - 6 packs
- Orange juice - 6 cartons
- Non-alcoholic beer - 24 bottles
- Coffee - 4 packs
- Decaf coffee - 1 pack
- Tea - 2 boxes
- Herbal tea - 1 box
- Milk - 8 liters
- Oat milk - 4 liters
- Sugar - 2 packs
- Sweetener - 1 box
- Lemon - 12 pieces
- Sandwiches - 120 pieces
- Mini wraps - 80 pieces
- Young cheese - 3 kilos
- Aged cheese - 2 kilo
- Chicken breast slices - 2 kilos
- Hummus - 2 kilos
- Cream cheese - 1 kilo
- Cucumbers - 12 pieces
- Tomatoes - 3 kilos
- Lettuce - 8 heads
- Bell peppers - 12 pieces
- Carrots - 3 kilos
- Grapes - 4 kilos
- Apples - 60 pieces
- Bananas - 40 pieces
- Paprika chips - 8 bags
- Plain chips - 8 bags
- Snack mix - 6 bags
- Rice cakes - 6 packs
- Gluten-free crackers - 4 packs
- Cookies - 8 packs
- Vegan cookies - 4 packs
- Brownies - 80 pieces
- Mayonnaise - 2 bottles
- Ketchup - 2 bottles
- Mustard - 2 jars
- Olive oil - 1 bottle
- Salt - 1 pack
- Pepper - 1 jar
- Dog kibble - 8 kilos
- Dog treats - 6 bags
- Dog biscuits - 6 packs
- Peanut butter for dogs - 4 jars
- Chicken breast for dogs - 3 kilos
- Dog carrots - 3 kilos
- Apples for dogs - 30 pieces
- Trash bags - 6 rolls
- Dog waste bags - 20 rolls
- Paper towels - 12 rolls
- Toilet paper - 36 rolls
- Hand soap - 6 bottles
- Hand sanitizer - 6 bottles
- Dish soap - 3 bottles
- All-purpose cleaner - 3 bottles
- Cleaning wipes - 6 packs
- Paper napkins - 600 pieces
- Baking paper - 2 rolls
- Cling film - 2 rolls
- Aluminum foil - 2 rolls
- Drinking straws - 200 pieces
- Wooden stirrers - 300 pieces
- Coffee filters - 2 packs

Tips

Provide at least one water station for every 25 to 30 dogs, with spare water dispensers and ice packs ready for warm weather. Dogs often drink more after races and agility activities.
For refreshments, allow two to three drinks per person during the first hour, then one drink per person for each additional hour. Chill drinks in coolers before guests arrive rather than relying on a single serving point.
Prepare one registration pack per participant: a name badge, race number and printed registration details. Bring roughly 10% extra blanks for walk-ins, damaged badges and corrections.
Check every agility tunnel, jump obstacle, slalom pole and hoop before the event, then place floor mats where dogs or handlers may slip. Pack spare line posts and clearly marked route signs in case the layout changes.
Buy or prepare prizes for every planned competition category, including trophies and rosettes. Keep them at the registration desk with the written rules so volunteers can award results without searching for supplies.

Frequently asked questions

How much water do I need for a dog festival?: Plan at least 1 litre of drinking water per dog for a half-day event, plus extra for hot weather and activity areas. Divide it between several water dispensers so dogs do not have to queue at one point.
How many cups and plates should I buy for a dog festival?: Count two reusable drinking glasses per person for a half-day event, then add 10% for replacements. Plan one plate and one cutlery set per expected meal or snack serving, with extra coffee cups for anyone returning for a second drink.
How many registration materials do I need?: Prepare one name badge and one race number for each registered participant, then add 10% spare materials. Print the registration lists at least one day before the festival and keep blank badges available for late arrivals.
When should I buy supplies for a dog festival?: Buy non-perishable tableware, activity equipment and prizes 1 to 2 weeks before the event. Purchase snacks and chilled drinks 1 to 2 days beforehand, and check the weather forecast before deciding how many party tents, mats and coolers are needed.

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