Photo at left: Winner of the Westport Dog Festival’s dog and owner look-alike contest was Rachel Peterson, a former Westport resident, and her bichon, Woofie, a rescue dog. At right: Getting ready for the kissing contest are Rylie Riggs and her dog, Bentley. / Photos by Gretchen Webster
The eighth Westport Dog Festival on Sunday at Winslow Park featured a range of canine competitions and demonstrations, as well as dozens of vendor promoting products and services for dogs.
Photo at left: Mochi, in her Sunday best competed in the festival’s best dressed contest, but was not judged the top dog … maybe next year. She is the pet of Emily and Chloe Ng of Westport. At right: A Great Pyrenees, right, and St. Bernard — each weighing about 160 pounds — were brought to the festival by Fairfield friends Nikki Pennacchia and Kaylee Cujo.

By Gretchen Webster

WESTPORT — More than 1,000 dogs of all shapes and sizes, barks and breeds — and the humans who love them — had their day Sunday at the eighth “Westport Dog Festival” at Winslow Park.

The event, organized by the Westport-Weston Chamber of Commerce, not only was a fun gathering for dogs and their owners, but an occasion for canines to compete.

There was an obstacle course, a competition ring for contests like best singer/barker and the best kisser, and demonstrations, including the Westport Police Department’s K-9 Division and Fidelco guide dogs.

Photo at left: “And the winner is …,” Greer, a rough-coat collie, who won first prize as the Westport Dog Festival’s best barker/singer. His owner, Caroline Ruocco, brought him all the way from Bristol to compete. At right: Atlas, the oldest dog in the Westport Police K9 unit, is about to retire to the home of his handler Cpl. David Scinto. The Police Department started a fundraising campaign in February to replace Atlas.
State Rep. Jonathan Steinberg, D-Westport, judged the dog kissing contest, won by Westporters Jack Berengarden, left, and his sister Neve. The best kisser was their Boston terrier, Rocky.

The festival also featured vendors for all sorts of dog-related products and services from dog training to veterinarians.

“It’s been a great day in the park,” said Matthew Mandell, the chamber’s executive director. “There are lots of dogs and lots of smiling faces.”

By 2 p.m., more than 1,000 dogs had already entered the festival grounds, according to Marita Driscoll, the chamber’s business manager. “We also maxxed out on vendors,” she said. “It’s been very successful.”

The Westport Dog Festival was planned in association with TAILS, a group that promotes spay/neutering of animals.

Proceeds from the event benefit nonprofit organizations, with $40,000 donated over the years from prior festivals, according to the chamber.

Freelance writer Gretchen Webster, a Fairfield County journalist for many years, was editor of the Fairfield Minuteman and has taught journalism at New York and Southern Connecticut State universities.

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