Parking + Getting There
We strongly recommend rideshare—there’s an Orioles game the same night. If you’re driving, nearby garages include:
99 S. Howard St.
210 W. Baltimore St.
221 W. Lombard St.
Most are around <$30 for the day (pricing last checked on 4/20/26) via SpotHero. Use this Link!
**Please note: Parking availability and pricing are not guaranteed. These garages also serve Orioles fans, and there is a game that night. We recommend securing a spot in advance before prices increase or garages sell out.
Arrival + Check-In
General Admission and VIP: No tickets needed—your name will be on our digital check-in list! Please enter through the main arena doors at Hopkins Plaza (just like a concert).
Sponsors: Sponsors and their VIP guests will check in at a dedicated sponsor check-in table in the lobby. If your company also distributed General Admission tickets to your staff or network, those guests should use the main check-in lines. (If they registered using your code, they’ve already received separate attendee instructions.) **Sponsors, do we have all of your guests’ names? If not, we need them! Check-in is extremely difficult without names, and CFG Bank Arena security requires us to have them in advance. Please send any missing names to kpika@BARCS.org.
Seating
General Admission: Seating is available in the arena’s bowl seating (the elevated, stadium-style sections). Seats are first-come, first-served. See the section below about ADA accommodations.
VIP Guests: VIP seating is located on the arena floor. Seats are first-come, first-served within the VIP section. You’re also welcome to enjoy the VIP lounge areas, including soft seating and high-top tables—there’s a great view of the show from all areas of VIP.
Sponsors: All sponsors have reserved seating on the arena floor, marked with your company name/logo. Our team will be there to help guide you, but we strongly recommend checking in and finding your seats first before heading to the bar, food stations, or cuddle corners.
What to Expect (A Lot of Good Fluff!)
Doors open at 6:00PM, and the preshow is packed with things to do—cuddle corners, the GLAMBOT, best dressed submissions, raffle baskets, merch and shopping, DIY wearable stations, and your chance to meet adoptable animals and spend time with them one-on-one. Adoption applications are open during this time, so if you meet a match, you can get the process started right there (more on this below).
At 8:00PM, the runway show begins and raffle basket sales close (adoption applications remain open).
Around 9:30PM, the show wraps up and raffle winners are announced.
The event concludes at 10:00PM, when adoption tables and the online auction close.
Dress Code
There’s no dress code for Pawject Runway—come as you are. Jeans, a bedazzled cat dress, your BARCS or Show Your Soft Side merch… anything goes. Animal print? Always a win. Covered in your cat’s fur and your dog’s slobber? Honestly, that counts too.
That said, we are hosting a Best Dressed competition this year, so if you’ve been waiting for a moment to show up and show out, this is it!
Bags + Security
Please leave backpacks, duffle bags, and oversized purses at home. Additional prohibited items include: Professional cameras or recording equipment (phones are fine); Weapons of any kind; Outside food or drinks; Noisemakers (air horns, whistles, etc.); Laptops and tablets; Any other item deemed unsafe by the arena.
All guests will pass through arena security and metal detectors. There are no concert lockers at this event. If you bring something prohibited, you will need to take it back to your car or relinquish it permanently to security.
Food + Drinks
General Admission: Food and drinks are available for purchase at CFG Bank Arena concessions. The arena is cashless, so please plan to use a card.
VIP Guests + Sponsor VIP Guests: You’ll have access to the Tito’s Vodka VIP Lounge, featuring a wide selection of food from local restaurants and an open bar throughout the evening.
No outside food or beverages are permitted.
Payment Info
CFG Bank Arena is cashless for concessions (card only). BARCS and Show Your Soft Side’s event areas do accept cash and card for merch, raffles, DIY stations, and donations.
Adopting at Pawject Runway
**Full adoption steps will be prominently displayed at BARCS’ adoption tables in the promenade** See an animal you love? Here’s how it works:
Spend time with them and get a name slip from their handler
Turn it in at the adoption tables in the promenade
Our adoptions team will process applications after the event. If your application is selected, you will receive a call within a week of the event to schedule an adoption class and finalize your adoption.
Please note: Animals at Pawject Runway may have other pending adoption applications.
Accessibility + Accommodations
We’re committed to making this event accessible to all guests. If you need ADA seating or any accommodations, please email events@barcs.org so we can plan accordingly. We have accessible seating reserved on the main floor and want to make sure we have the right setup for everyone attending.
Service animals (ADA-defined) may attend. Due to adoptable animals onsite, access will be limited in some areas. Pets and ESAs are not permitted.
Any questions we missed? Please email events@BARCS.org and let us know!