Colchester dog event promises 8th year of fun

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

By LIZ MUGAVERO
Norwich Bulletin - Norwich, Conn.

COLCHESTER -- Colchester is the place to be for dogs this Sunday. The eighth annual Pumpkins 'n' Pooches Autumn Fair and Dog Fest will be held on the Colchester Town Green, and dogs of all shapes and sizes will be competing in contests including Waggiest Tail and Best Kisser.

The fair is sponsored by the Colchester Lions Club.

"It's fun for the whole family, including the dog," said organizer Charlene Picard. "We have food, treats and lots of demonstrations and raffles."

About 100 crafters and vendors are expected at the fair, which usually draws between 3,000 and 5,000 people.

Photos with Woofer the River Dog of Connecticut's 105.9 The River radio station are available, and a Fidelco Guide Dog demonstration as well as a foster puppy presentation will be held. New this year, Picard said, is a canine freestyle demo. Canine freestyle combines training, teamwork, music and movement resulting in, you guessed it, a dancing dog. "It's a lot of fun to watch," said Picard.

Paint your own pumpkin, face painting, hayrides and a demonstration by TASK-9 search and rescue dogs will also be available.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Fidelco Guide Dogs and other sight and community related programs.

The event draws many familiar faces, including First Selectman Jenny Contois, who judges the dog costume contests every year. "It's just a great day," said Contois. "Watching people with their dogs is a blast. There is something to that saying about dogs resembling their owners."

Lions Club member and Colchester resident Eric Jacobson said he wouldn't miss it. "There are a lot of different things for a lot of different people. And the imaginative costumes are great," he said.

Joyce Schultz of Salem attends every year, but last year was the best. Her daughter and their dog, Belle, won for best costume: 1950s diner waitress, complete with a matching outfit for Belle, who carried trays on her back. "It was a riot," she said. "I can't wait to go back." Her dog, Tess, will be going as a lion.

Picard said she expects to see more than 100 dogs. "We have a lot of fun," she said. "There's good food, good dog treats and a lot of people enjoying themselves."

The event will be held rain or shine from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free.