Dog owners and their faithful four-legged friends are invited to celebrate all things canine at The Day of the Dog Festival in Esquimalt.
The free event at Bullen Park, takes place on Saturday, Aug. 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The afternoon will feature a fun-filled day of activities for all dogs, big, small and in-between. For their human companions, organizers are promising unparalleled fun, shopping and entertainment for the whole family.
There will be interactive dog activities such as Ninja dog - a maze obstacle course designed to test the combined skill of both owner and their dog, which has a $1,000 cash prize up for grabs for the fastest time. The event also promises an 80-foot pool party for dogs, including a DJ, refreshments and VIP canine cabanas.
Other activities include a 'Best in Show Snaggletooth Showcase', running of the bulls for French bulldogs, Corgi races, dog blessings and a hilarious new contest, 'Biggest, smallest, harriest and longest wiener in Victoria'.
The Day of The Dog is a fundraiser for the Just Love Animals Society, a non-profit organization with a focus on community outreach, pet industry mentorships and animal welfare.
Behind the event are former nightclub owners Jordan Illingworth and Leo Powell, who got their first Great Dane, Floyd, more than 15 years ago. The pair credit their dog Floyd with changing their lives forever, inspiring them to quickly became morning people and focus on producing events for their four-legged partygoers.
“We are the largest cultural movement celebrating the modern-day family," said Powell. "With pet ownership up over 40 per cent since the pandemic, it's more important than ever for people to be informed to make the best decisions for their dogs."
The annual festival, which has expanded over the last decade to include Calgary, Vancouver, Santa Monica, San Diego and Scottsdale, Arizona, aims to educate dog lovers on everything from holistic health remedies to safe and ethical dog adoptions.
Festival organizers are encouraging responsible pet ownership and have asked if a dog is not good in crowds, or heat, to please leave them at home for their safety.
The Day of The Dog Festival takes place on August 10 at Bullen Park in Esquimalt. For more information visit www.thedayofthedog.com.
