Punctuating Manchester’s Gay Village lies
the green haven of Sackville gardens, a leafy retreat from the hustle and
bustle of the city’s busy streets and walkways,
and on a grey Sunday in August it plays host to The Pink Dog Show a
Carnival of canine chaos and campery. The
Pink Dog Show acts as a Fringe event for Pride (Taking place the following
weekend) and acts as the main fundraising event for The Manchester and Cheshire
Dog’s Home. With dog lovers both gay and
straight turning out in their droves.
In the past, the event has embraced such
themes as The Wizard of Oz and Fairy Tales. This year, the theme was a more
interactive one, embracing the enthusiastic energy that has been infecting the
nation: Dog-Olympics. The show focused around dog and owner activities such as
Ball and Cup Dash, Musical Olympic Rings and Temptation Tower; a bizarre
activity that saw owners trying to stacks a doggy snack skyscraper without it
being chomped down by their accompanying hairy companion.
The event is supported, hosted and embraced
by the gay community with Viva La Diva hosting the show and Camp Cooks
nourishing the crowds with some very appealing cupcakes and snacks, both parties
provided lots of glamour, many of the
drag queens were dressed in pink satin or sequins and towered above the crowds,
navigating their high heels with
finesse. Towering at over 7ft, Miss Easyer led the Ball and Cup Dash across the
park to the astonishment of her adoring fans.
“It’s all about the community today… And The Manchester and Cheshire Dogs Home” –
Viva La Diva
Being at the event and talking to many of
the participants who return year after year, one has the sense that this is
Doggie Christmas. The main event of the year for these dog owners. They have
been planning and preparing the costumes since the theme was announced in March
(via the official website www.pinkdogshow.co.uk), training their dogs in the
various events and generally getting very, very excited. The crowds were filled
with children, various different couples and people of all backgrounds and of
course there were lots and lots of dogs from a tiny Daschund to a mighty
English Mastiff and everything in between.
As well as the main games many canine
centric companies were represented with pop up stalls, Doting owners could
treat their dogs to special human-grade standard biscuits, fun photos, sparkly
collars, framed paw prints, cheeky t-shirts, make day-care arrangements or
order a custom painting.
As the day progressed the skies began to
dark and the heavens opened, the organisers delayed the start of the fashion
parade but the crowds were not to be deterred as the music, laughter and
refreshments kept people entertained. The atmosphere was carnivalesque with
colourful wigs and costumes spread across the gardens whilst dogs of all shapes
and sizes barked sporadically at Pickles the dog’s home mascot and other
strange half-dog, half-man creatures that were in attendance.
The pink dog show is a testament to
Manchester’s rich and diverse culture, people coming together to celebrate our
canine chums, it’s doesn’t discriminate people based on gender , sexuality, age
or background, it’s about people with a love of
dogs coming together and having fun and in a way isn’t that what owning
a dog is all about?
No comments:
Post a Comment