URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — Paws and people filled one Champaign County park with pure happiness on Sunday with a costume party and tailgate that was for the dogs.

The event was organized by members of the park. They’re a group of friends calling themselves the “Urbana Pack,” who enjoy each other’s company and furry friends.

They say the dog park, and events like this, provide an essential way to connect with people.

“Anymore, you go out amongst people, and what are they doing? They’re on their phones, and they’re not talking to each other, they’re not communicating. When you have a dog park, and a bunch of friendly people together, you don’t see the phones. People are talking to each other, and people are communicating. We’ve all become friends, and we go places outside of the dog park, too. I think it’s important to have a community like this within a community,” Jodie Ellis, an event co-organizer, said.

She added that it was their first time doing this at Urbana’s Dog Park, but are hoping it becomes an annual tradition.