Griffin Fitzpatrick won the “Cutest” prize at the Pupcake Pageant. (Photo by Betsy Allen)

For the past two years, the Cupcake Festival has featured the Pupcake Pageant, a community dog show that all can enter. The pageant was held on Friday, August 26, which was very appropriate, as August 26 is National Dog Day.

Twenty-three people entered their dogs into the pageant. Many contestants dressed their dogs up for the occasion, and the canines competed in elaborate costumes. Other dogs sported more modest outfits, such as colorful bandanas and collar bows.

While this is the second consecutive year for the Pupcake Pageant, the very first Cupcake Festival featured a dog pageant. However, the event was put on hold for several years, making its return in 2021. “It was very successful last year, so we definitely wanted keep doing it,” said festival director Rita Meadows.

Winners of the Pupcake Pageant included Gizmo Smith (Best Costume), Enzo Watters (Most Handsome), Dolly Hutchinson (Prettiest), Griffin Fitzpatrick (Cutest), and Remi Crawford (Best Trick). The Grand Champion was Tango (owner Tonia Crawford), with First Runner Up Remi (owner Jami Crawford) and Second Runner Up Biscuit (owner Elaine Thacker).

National Dog Day was first started in 2004 by animal advocate Colleen Paige, with the aim of raising awareness for the great need to adopt shelter dogs. Paige is also the founder of National Puppy Day (March 23), National Mutt Day (July 31 and December 2), National Cat Day (October 29), and National Wildlife Day (February 22 and September 4).