Frankenmuth Dog Bowl back May 23 and 24 with free fun at Frankenmuth River Place Shops
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FRANKENMUTH, Mich. - Michimich -- The world's largest Olympic-style festival for dogs and their people, sponsored by Frankenmuth Credit Union, returns to Michigan's Little Bavaria over Memorial Day weekend at Frankenmuth River Place Shops.

The 19^th annual Frankenmuth Dog Bowl festival is on May 23 and 24. The event will feature hundreds of dogs competing in events like DockDogs® and Disc Dogs of Michigan competitions, border collie sheep herding demonstrations, lure course, dog mushing demonstrations, sniff & seek, a pet parade and costume contest, trick competitions, and doggie fun run races.

The festival is free to attend and takes place at Frankenmuth River Place Shops, 925 S. Main St. Dogs are welcome but must be on a max. 6-foot leash.

More than 100,000 visitors are expected to visit Frankenmuth over Memorial Day weekend to watch exciting displays of athleticism by hundreds of competing dogs. Some events, such as the Annual Canine Cruise on the Cass River, require a registration fee.

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"Our events team works very hard to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all of our guests, whether they are humans or canines," said Michael Keller Zehnder, owner and operator of Frankenmuth River Place Shops, part of the Bavarian Inn Family of companies. "We are looking forward to a doggone fun weekend and the return of Bavarian Inn's signature Memorial Day weekend festivities."

A key event during the festival is Balloons Over Bavarian Inn, featuring hot air balloon pilots from across the country who will take to the skies for morning and evening competitions and return to Frankenmuth River Place Shops for nightly balloon glows throughout the weekend.

Visitors have the chance to see the hot air balloons light up and interact with pilots and their crews on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights from 9 to 10 p.m. as part of the Balloon Glow Village event. Attendees will also witness the debut of the Bavarian Inn hot air balloon, featuring the Bavarian Inn mascots.

The 2026 Frankenmuth Dog Bowl concludes with the Zehnder's of Frankenmuth fireworks show, sponsored by Pepsi, at 9:45 p.m. on Sunday, May 24. The fireworks are visible from across Frankenmuth and can be best viewed from the large field east of Frankenmuth River Place Shops.