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DogFest back for 10th year

Community event expected to draw as many as 15,000 people and their pets to VOA.

Tommy Hardwick, 9, takes a rest on Moses, a 225 pound Mastiff owned by Erin Barkley, during Dog Fest last year at Voice of America Park in West Chester Twp.

file photo Tommy Hardwick, 9, takes a rest on Moses, a 225 pound Mastiff owned by Erin Barkley, during Dog Fest last year at Voice of America Park in West Chester Twp.

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By Richard O Jones, Staff Writer 7:54 PM Thursday, June 11, 2009

WEST CHESTER TWP. — Not many festivals can boast having “something for every dog.”

But at this weekend's DogFest, there will be agility and obedience competitions, a fashion show for dogs, owner/dog and famous dog look-alike competitions. Even awards for smallest and largest dogs.

“Some dogs don’t have any talent, but they can look good,” said events coordinator Barb Young. “So we have something for them, too.”

And because the dogs coming to DogFest need to have owners with them, Young said the festival has expanded its children’s activities.

“We want to make sure that no one gets bored, so we brought back some of the children’s games,” Young said.

It’s a testament to the love of dogs that the event has been so successful through the years, Young said. DogFest originated in 1999 as a community event for West Chester Twp., where people could bring their dog or dogs for a day of fun with just a few events and booths, exhibitors and entertainers. DogFest 2009 expects to draw more than 15,000 people and their canine friends.

“People love to see the dogs,” Young said. “They want to show their dogs off. They want to see other breeds that they might only have seen in books. People dress their dogs up. It’s really a family event.”

But at the center of it all is the need to raise awareness about dog issues. DogFest is hosted by the Progressive Animal Welfare Society, a no-kill, nonprofit animal shelter in Butler County that houses dogs and cats until they are adopted.

“They’re all lovable and they’ll all break your heart,” Young said. “But different dogs have different needs. People will see a dog on TV and say, ‘That’s what I want,’ even though the breed may not be right for their lifestyle.”

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