Following last year's successful Rivertown Dog Days of Summer event, merchants from the Rivertown Business District have again invited dogs and their owners to descend on historic downtown Antioch for an evening of four-legged fun and friendly canine competition.

The free event, which will be held Aug. 9 from 6 to 8 p.m. in Waldie Plaza, features a series of attractions culminating in the Delta Dawg Show, in which dogs are judged on a series of offbeat categories rather than conventional pure-bred criteria.

Like last year, Delta Dawg Show categories include Cutest Puppy, Best Senior Dog, Best Pair of Dogs, Most Mysterious Mixed Breed, Best Dog Costume and Best in Size for Small, Medium, and Large/X-Large dogs.

New categories added for 2008 include Most Obedient in which owners and their dogs have up to 30 seconds to demonstrate as many or as few tricks as they'd like plus the new Judge's Favorite category, awarded to the dog that in the judges' collective opinion deserves recognition for its unique qualities or attributes, even if it didn't win its registered category.

The Delta Dawg Show was designed for the average dog owner who is often just as proud of their dog if not more so than the people who hire handlers and show their pure-bred dogs at sanctioned competitions, said Brian Nunnally, economic development analyst for the city of Antioch and one of the event producers. The Rivertown Dog Day of Summer event is free, it's fun, and it's a rare family outing where family pets are not just welcomed, but encouraged.

Registration for the Delta Dawg Show takes place on event day from 6 to 6:45 p.m. at the registration tent. There is no cost to participate. Each dog may compete in only one category.

In the lead-up to the Delta Dawg Show, the event kicks off with a Dog Agility Demonstration by Lisa Seltmann and her dog Cody from 6 to 6:15, followed by Dana Smith and his performing dog Lacey, a nationally-known street performer act.

Throughout the event, numerous pet-related businesses and organizations will staff information tables, and Antioch Animal Services and other local rescue organizations will be present to offer pet adoption opportunities.

For more information on the Rivertown Dog Day of Summer event, visit www.rivertownevents.com or call 925-779-6168.