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Dog Fest back for 10th year

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Tommy Hardwick takes a rest on Moses, a 225 pound Mastiff owned by Erin Barkley, during Dog Fest on Sunday, June 15, 2008 at Voice of America Park in West Chester Twp.

Nick Graham/Staff photographer Tommy Hardwick takes a rest on Moses, a 225 pound Mastiff owned by Erin Barkley, during Dog Fest on Sunday, June 15, 2008 at Voice of America Park in West Chester Twp.

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

By Richard O Jones, Staff Writer Updated 7:47 AM Friday, June 12, 2009

Not many festivals can boast having "something for every dog. But at Dog Fest, 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 Dog Fest 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 how much we love our dogs that the event has been so successful through the years, Young said. Dog Fest 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.

Dog Fest 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. Dog Fest 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."Every dog needs exercise," she said.

A Chihuahua will not need an hour walk every day, but a sporting dog will.

"So if you live in an apartment and don't have time to walk a golden retriever, it may not be the dog for you," she said. "So there will be booths at Dog Fest to help people make those decisions."