A few doggie treats can go a long way.
They paved the way for Coupeville resident Leah Hartley’s rat terrier Spinaker Gale stealing the show at the 10th annual Mutt Strut on Saturday, dazzling spectators with an entertaining display of tricks.
Spinaker Gale hopped through hula hoops and pranced around the courtyard to win Best Trick at the yearly dog parade and costume contest held at Bayview Corner.
“Because she likes treats, she was easy to train,” Hartley said after she and Spinaker Gale performed for the judges. “Otherwise, forget it.”
It was the second consecutive year Hartley and Spinaker Gale took home Best Trick.
The annual event is organized by Bayview Farm and Garden, Bayview Farmer’s Market and Goosefoot.
Fifty-three contestants turned out to compete in the event, which was the most ever in its 10-year history, said Goosefoot Director of Program and Fund Development Marian Myszkowski.
“I think within the past year, folks have been looking to come to Bayview Corner for events more,” Myszkowski said. “It’s because they’re free, family-friendly, and they’re non-commercial. We don’t have a lot of stuff for sale. What you do is you meet people and you have fun. That’s our goal for the events.”
Oak Harbor residents Salley Westcott and Julie Lundstad made the hour-long trek to enjoy the fall weekend activity. The pair, along with their dogs Pisco and Pixie, were dressed as bumblebees and called themselves the “Whidbey Swarm.”
“I bought (my costume) last night,” Westcott said. “It was the last bumblebee on the island I’m pretty sure.”
Dog owners, canines, and community members from all across the island gathered for the event. While most adorned normal clothing, the more spirited dog owners matched their canines with wacky and fun costumes. The event was free and open to the public.
Prize winners were awarded gift baskets for pet goodies, such as toys and treats, as well as gift certificates.
The Best Dog Costume was won by Raef Beard and nine-year-old terrachula Cooper. Cooper adorned a piñata to win the category.
Mila Wright and her five-year-old Blue took home Best Celebrity Dog. Blue embodied Mexican self-portrait painter Frida Kahlo to take home the prize.
The Best Owner/Dog Costume was awarded to mother and daughter combination Natasha and Sasha Sheldon and dogs Ginger and Jake for their spot-on rendition of Alice in Wonderland. Natasha Sheldon dressed as the Mad Hatter while Sasha appeared as the Cheshire Cat. Their dogs Ginger and Jake played the parts of Alice and the March Hare.
The Best Child Costume was awarded to Carolina Ault and her dog Lucy, who presented their cuteness to the judges as “Puss & Boots.”
Talia Marcus won Best Adult Costume for her unique blend of purple, red, and fabrics while also playing the violin alongside her Chinese crescent terrier mix Tashi, who was dressed in garments akin to a Scottish kilt.
Conductor of Fun Jim Freeman emceed the festivities and kept the contestants on their toes with quick, crafty jokes while they presented their dogs to the judges.
There were five judges who awarded contestants prizes, including second-grade teacher Betsy Hofius and Goosefoot co-founder Nancy Nordhoff.
A downpour of rain sent contestants under cover while they awaited the results from the judges, but they stuck it out to see who would take home the prizes.
Next door, shoppers tasted dozens of apple varieties at the Bayview Farm and Garden. Also featured at the Bayview Farmers’ Market were an apple stacking contest and live music.
