The region's dog lovers may want to keep the first weekend of September free - as the North East Dog Festival returns again this year.
With the organisers hoping for a 'spectacular' outdoor weekend as the summer holidays come to a close, the festival returns to Northumberland College's Kirkley Hall Campus in Ponteland, a specialist animal and land-based training venue seen as ideal for hosting the event. Last year saw more than 8,000 visitors and their dogs watch doggie displays and demonstrations, take part in have a go activities, and explore a wellness marquee, shopping village and charity dog shows.
The festival aims to give charities a platform to raise money and educate visitors about their causes: The Newcastle Dog & Cat Shelter, GSP Rescue Services, and Roo's Journey. GSP Rescue Services are returning for the fourth year, while the other two charities are newcomers.
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This year's event will also welcome K9 Aqua Sports to the region for the first time. Canine Aquatic Sport, known as dock diving or dock jumping is a sport in which dogs jump from a deck into a large swimming pool and compete against each other for distance, height or speed.
Co-Director Rebecca Ashworth Earle said: " 2021 was our biggest event to date; over 8,000 visitors (and their pooches) joined us across a weekend of shopping, entertainment and plenty of prize winning in the dog shows and activities.
"Plans are well underway for the 2022 event and we hope to bring even more to the dog lovers in the North East. I t has become one of the best loved events for many in the region and when you see so many happy dogs, it's easy to see why."
Chris Bray, Chief Executive of Newcastle Dog & Cat Shelter, said: " As a shelter that has been around for over 100 years, we are keen to share the message of our mission – to save lives in the North East. Working with the festival enables us to share our message and capture new supporters, volunteers and shelter advocates."
On K9 Aqua Sports coming to the Festival, Co-Director Dawn Oliver Doyle said: " Our team have always known that the next big step for the event is the K9 Aqua Sports Pool and we’ve worked hard with their team to ensure we can make the pool happen this year. The pool (which holds 100,000 litres) has never been in the North East before and we expect the crowds and the dogs to love it."
Gemma Kemeny-Ruff of K9 Aqua Sports, added: " Dock jumping is a fully interactive sport, in which both the dog and the handler, together as a ‘Team’, can work to improve their skills, entertaining themselves, their family, friends and crowds, the K9 Aqua Sports crew love to have fun with all the dogs, both jumping and swimming and we love to entertain people, helping the owners and dogs enjoy a great sport together. We are super excited to attend The North East Dog Festival this year and we cannot wait to see what the North has in store for us, we hope to see some big jumpers throughout the weekend."
Trade stand applications for the North East Dog Festival are being taken until the end of June. To get tickets for the event or to find out more, visit the website.
Will you be visiting the North East Dog Festival? Let us know!
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