Rome Hosts Seventh Annual Schnauzerfest
Rome welcomed 731 schnauzers and their owners for a two-day festival that drew visitors from 44 states.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Dogs
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Rome hosted its seventh annual Schnauzerfest over two days, drawing 731 schnauzers and pet owners from throughout the country. The event included a meet-and-greet, a costume parade, and skills competitions at the Forum River Center.
Why it matters
The festival generated an estimated $250,000 for Rome's hotels, restaurants, and other venues. It is one of the largest events dedicated to a single dog breed in the United States.
Participants came from 44 states, and a Washington family set a record for the furthest travel to the event. The $250,000 revenue figure is an estimate that has not been independently verified.
The players
Forum River Center
A Rome, Georgia venue that hosted the event's skills competitions, including Barn Hunt, Fast Cat Racing, and Schnauzer Idol.
The details
The festival began Friday afternoon with a meet-and-greet at Burk Farm in Armuchee. On Saturday, families and pets gathered in costume at Bridgepoint Plaza before the parade along Broad Street, which was held at night for the first time.
Timeline
Friday, Oct. 30, 2026: Meet-and-greet at Burk Farm begins
Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026: Costume parade and skills competitions held in Rome
Oct. 15-16, 2027: Tentative dates for next year's Schnauzerfest
Visitors planning a trip to Rome in the fall may find lodging and dining busy during the festival weekend. Dog owners interested in attending next year should watch for official confirmation of the 2027 dates.
The takeaway
Events built around a single dog breed can draw visitors from across the country and support local businesses during an otherwise quiet season.
What happens next
Tentative dates for the 2027 Schnauzerfest are Oct. 15 and 16, though these have not been confirmed.
Further reading
Explore more dog events and pet news in our Dogs section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Northwest Georgia News.
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