The Soggy Doggy Pool Party will return to the Frances Meadows Aquatic Center for its fifth straight year Sunday, Sept. 11.

The event is catered to every size of dog, arranging specific times for each to splash around in the outdoor pool. Dogs 35 pounds and less will be welcomed to enjoy the water from 1-2:45 p.m., and all dogs 35 pounds and more may enjoy the same from 3-4:45 p.m.

All dogs must wear a vaccination tag on collar at all times and swim at the owner’s risk. And the canine’s handler is limited to two dogs.

Julie Butler Colombini, marketing and communications manager for Gainesville Parks and Recreation, described the event as one of her favorites.

“Every year, we close the Splash Zone and the outdoor waterpark to the public,” she said. “We take out all the chemicals and before we drain the pool, and we turn it over to the dogs. They are allowed to play on all the amenities in the water. The dogs enjoy it just as much as the kids.”

Colombini pointed out the Splash Zone is all zero-depth entry.

“Even the tiniest dogs that might be a little bit apprehensive of the water can get their little feet wet,” she said.

Between the current channel, spray fountains and kiddie pool, every dog can find some feature in which to play and get wet.

Colombini said the pool party has drawn between 75 and 100 dogs each year to the aquatic center at 1545 Community Way in Gainesville.

“It is definitely one of those ‘back by popular demand’ events that we started,” she said.

And the event was started simply through community outreach.

“We had always talked about trying to do something like that,” Colombini said. “With Francis Meadows, it just gave the perfect outlook for that. It really was just the perfect opportunity and our staff at Frances Meadows saw that opportunity.”

She explained the city tries to serve every segment of the population and dogs are a big part of residents’ lives.

“They’re family for some folks. They’re kids for some folks,” Colombini said. “We just thought this would be a good way to reach as many people as we could with our programs.”

Therefore, Colombini encourages everyone to attend, even if he or she doesn’t bring the dog.

“Even if you don’t want to take your dog or have a dog, it’s so fun to watch these dogs,” she said. “Most dogs love the water, and every dog that has come to Soggy Doggy has had such a great time.”