Dog Days AKC FIT DOG Turkey Trot

The best way to open a dog festival?

Put the dogs in motion.

On Saturday, September 19, West Palm Dog will help kick off the Palm Beach County Hearts & Paws Fall Festival 2026 with the AKC FIT DOG Turkey Trot 5K at John Prince Park.

The Turkey Trot runs from 8:00–9:00 AM, giving dogs and their people an active start before the larger festival begins filling the park with rescues, families, local businesses, giveaways and community activities.

For anyone looking for a Palm Beach County dog event that feels more like a community morning than a traditional expo, this is the part of the day worth arriving early for.

West Palm Dog Takes the Morning Lead

West Palm Dog brings the right energy to the opening hour.

Dog training is not just about commands. It is about helping dogs become more comfortable, responsive and connected to the people walking beside them.

That makes a community Turkey Trot a natural extension of the work.

Dogs are moving. Owners are paying attention. Families are outside together. Everyone is sharing the same space without the pressure of a competitive race environment.

Some dogs will move quickly.

Others will take their time.

A select few will be far more interested in sniffing the park than setting a personal record.

That is part of the fun.

The morning is less about who finishes first and more about giving Palm Beach County dog owners another reason to get outside and do something positive with their dogs.

A 5K That Leads Somewhere Bigger

The Turkey Trot is only the beginning.

Once the 8–9 AM walk wraps up, Hearts & Paws expands into a full community festival running through 3:00 PM.

The event brings together pet rescues, county organizations, local businesses, families and dog lovers from across Palm Beach County.

Visitors can move from the Turkey Trot into an Adoption Zone featuring five pet rescues, free product samples, giveaways, family enrichment activities, a reading circle, youth-focused programming and a local business showcase beginning at 9:30 AM.

That transition is what makes the morning work so well.

You do not finish the Turkey Trot and go home.

You finish the Turkey Trot and walk directly into the community.

Why This Matters for Dogs — and People

Dogs have a way of making community events easier.

They give strangers something to talk about, introduce neighbors who might otherwise never meet. and they connect families with trainers, rescues, veterinarians, pet businesses and community organizations in a way that feels natural rather than forced.

The West Palm Dog Turkey Trot sets that tone before the rest of the festival even begins.

By 9:00 AM, people have already been walking together, meeting dogs, talking and sharing the park.

The festival simply builds from there.

That is the idea behind Hearts & Paws: a good day for dogs can become a great day for community.

Make It a Good Morning for Your Dog

If you are planning to participate, remember that every dog experiences a public event differently.

Bring water. Use a secure leash. Pay attention to the weather. Give your dog space when needed.

And most importantly, know your dog.

A social, active dog may love the energy of the Turkey Trot. A dog that is uncomfortable around crowds or unfamiliar animals may be happier sitting this one out.

The goal is not simply to complete five kilometers.

The goal is to create a positive experience for both ends of the leash.