“I’ve never seen so many pugs in one place,” Jack Goodwin, of Cincinnati, said.
The Cincinnati Pug Fair is organized by the Cincinnati Pug Meetup Group, locals who meet once a month to share their love of the breed and let their dogs play.
The fair provides a chance for owners across the state to do this same thing on a larger scale.
“Everything was wonderful,” Debbie Tolle, event organizer, said about the Pug fair. “I got wonderful feedback and everyone had a good time.”
Tolle said about 300 people attended the event this year, and those who braved the weather and came out were able to enjoy shopping vendors, food, entertainment and a costume contest.
Guests were also able to socialize with other pug owners and let their pugs play.
This year, the theme for the costume contest was “How the West was Pugged,” and many of the small pugs strutted around in country western costumes.
“It’s hilarious to see all these pugs,” Missy Young, of Madison Township, said.
She and her husband, Rick, drove about an hour to attend the pug fair, and they weren’t the only ones. Several people came from more than 100 miles away.
One reason the event is popular each year, aside from the pugs, is because it is a charity event. Proceeds from the event go to the Ohio Pug Rescue, a volunteer organization that operates a surrender, foster care and placement programs for pugs in the state.
The fair raised a total of $2,600 this year and all of it will go to the OPR. Tolle said the numbers were down some from last year, probably due to the weather and lower attendance.
Several of OPR’s rescue pugs were present at the fair, and made an appearance in the parade.
Teresa Livesay and Toni Noertker, both from OPR and both dressed as cowgirls, carted the Pug rescues around in a covered wagon and ended up winning a prize for best theme.
There were pugs dressed like the Ninja Turtles, a pug wearing a devil costume, a pug in Old MacDonald’s farm, a sheriff and much more. Awards were also given out for the most funny costume, the best homemade costume, oldest pugs, curliest tail and judge’s favorite.
“I love pugs!” Susan Aiello, of Dayton, said. “It’s all about the pugs.”
For more information about Cincinnati Pug Fair visit www.pugfair.org