The past year has been difficult for festival organisers, with most big events cancelled in 2020.
But there is some positive news on the horizon – dog lovers, this one’s for you.
Dogstival, the annual festival that celebrates the beauty, grace and talent of pooches in the UK, is returning.Originally held in May each year, organisers have just confirmed new dates for the first weekend of September.
The canine event will be hosted outdoors in New Forest, with social distancing measures in place to protect visitors and their dogs.As always, it will feature fun activities, shows and demonstrations with pups of all breeds, shapes and sizes.
Pooches can go for a swim in the K9 Aqua Sports Pool, and humans can do stand-up paddle boarding with their pet, while another area will be dedicated to scent work, agility, flyball and working dog scurries.
Scott Miller, resident vet on This Morning, will also be present, to share tips and tricks on how to look after puppies, senior dog care, first aid for pets and more. The celebrity vet is joined by Charlie Dixon from New Forest Vet, as well as animal surgeon Michael Hamilton from Hamilton’s Referrals.It pays to be a lap dog. Three dogs (from First Class cabins!) survived the sinking of the Titanic – two Pomeranians and one Pekingese.
And let’s not forget the shopping.
If you want to spoil your pooch, this is your chance – there will be 150 stalls selling everything from treats, toys and training tools.
Meanwhile, there is a vintage fairground and live music planned for the humans.
‘Being outdoors and with acres of space to socially distance, we are confident in the level of public safety and we will of course be investing in a wide range of hygiene measures to protect our guests.’
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Tickets cost £13.90 for adults and £8 for children aged six to 16 (anyone younger can go for free) and must be purchased ahead of the event, in order to comply with ‘track and trace’ requirements.
Concessions are also available.
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