Get ready to go barking mad for a revamped Doggywood at this year’s Mardi Gras Fair Day (Sun 19 Feb) as we take the lead and prepares to celebrate the important role that dogs play in our lives with a fetching festival of all things canine.

This year’s totally FREE line-up includes the Games Of Bones Dog Pageant, a terrific new dog show from award winning trainer Dai Aoki, a dog training masterclass, a doggy photo booth and a series of brief talks about canine health, nutrition and psychology. The six hour program of events will be hosted by beloved community personalities Tobin Saunders (aka Vanessa Wagner) and Gavin Prendergast.

Registration is now open for owners wanting to enter their furry friends in the dog pageant. There are two editions (12pm and 2pm), three categories (Best Dressed, Most Talented and Best In Show) and great prizes for both owners and dogs. Entry is FREE so register now at: www.doggywood.org.au

Our CEO Nicolas Parkhill says pets provide an important source of love and support for many people in the LGBTI community. “There are many health benefits of dog ownership, ranging from keeping us active to providing companionship, so it’s only fitting that we love them back and pay tribute to our furry friends with a fun, camp and occasionally downright silly celebration of all things doggy,” Nicolas Parkhill says.

In addition to Sydney’s finest furs dressed to the ca-nines and battling it out in the Game Of Bones Dog Pageant, there’s two editions of Dai Aoki’s K9 Spectacular, a terrific new dog show from talented trainer Dai Aoki (The Living Room, Australia’s Got Talent) featuring the award-winning antics of his superstar border collies Holly and Ace. Dai will also present two dog training master classes for owners wanting to teach their old or young dog some new tricks.

For those who love a selfie, the Best In Show photo booth will operate throughout the day to help capture your pups’ best angle. And also throughout the day visitors will be able to find out how to keep their pooch in top dog form with tips from our Doggywood sponsors about caring for your canine.

To find out more about this year’s Doggywood at Fair Day or register for the Game Of Bones Dog Pageant, please visit the Doggywood website:  www.doggywood.org.au

TIME                      EVENT

10am                     Rego Desk and Best In Show Photo Booth open

10:30am             Dai Aoki’s Dog Training Masterclass

11am                     Love Your Dog (health, grooming, nutrition)

11:30am              Dai Aoki’s K9 Spectacular

12pm                    Game Of Bones Dog Pageant 1

1pm                       Love Your Dog

1:30pm                Dai Aoki’s K9 Spectacular

2pm                       Game Of Bones Dog Pageant 2

3pm                       Love Your Dog

3:30pm                Dai Aoki’s Dog Training Masterclass

4pm                       Best In Show Photo Booth closes

ENDS

For more information please contact:

David Alexander, ACON Media and Communications Officer

E: dalexander@acon.org.au   T: +61 (02) 9206 2044   M: +61 (0)428 477 042