Although this was the third year of the event, there were still a lot of first time attendees like Cheri Almeida of Carmel who brought her two Boston Terriers, Duke and Dolly.

"This is an awesome way to bring people together for the cause," she said. "You get to meet new people and see other dogs. It's a wonderful outing."

It was also Mariah Cassidy of Bangor's first time participating in Greater Bangor Bark for Life.

"My friend's dog, I call her my dog niece, died of cancer," said Cassidy. "And my mom was diagnosed too but she's still here. She's a survivor."

Cassidy and her Pitbull, Zoey, who both wore matching super hero costumes to the gathering, entered the best dressed contest.

"We tied for first place with a Shitsu mix, I believe," she said. "It's been a lot of fun, and if you have a dog it's even more fun and it is a great cause to support."

Just over $12,000 was raised at this year's event, which brings the total to over $50,000 collected since the Greater Bangor Bark for Life first began in 2012.

"It's amazing to see the community all come together to be involved in this great event," said Eldridge. "I was shooting for $10,000 the first year so I think raising over $50,000 in three years for the American Cancer Society with a committee of 13 or less is something we should all be proud of."