By IW Observer.co.uk
The first Ventnor ‘Dog Fest’ took place on the beach on Saturday (April 30) with more than 100 people and 40 dogs taking part.
The idea came from Ventnor Deputy Mayor, Cllr Steph Toogood, who explained: “We want to run this as an annual event to celebrate the last day of dogs being allowed on the beach before the summer season.
“It’s a way of saying thank you to the dogs and their owners for vacating the beach for the children to take over for a few months.”
The fun event included six categories: Dog owner in fancy dress; Waggiest Tail; Musical Sit; Happiest Dog and Child; Dog more like its Owner and Biscuit-Eating Competition.
Raffle prizes were donated by local businesses and £145 will be contributed to this summer’s Ventnor Carnival.
One star was Giana, owned by Flora Upton, a rescue dog from the streets of Cyprus, who loves to meet people and stole the show with her performance in the musical sit competition.
Isle of Wight Observer