Via Community News Service, a University of Vermont journalism internship
WINOOSKI — At noon on Sunday, July 26, 18 dogs and their owners lined up on the grass at the Winooski Farmers Market, waiting for their turn to show off their costumes, tricks and stinky breath. A version of the Baha Men’s 2000 hit “Who Let the Dogs Out” was playing, and one of the dogs barked along to the song.
This canine crowd was gathered to put their best paw forward for “Best Pooch in the Noosk,” the Winooski Farmers Market’s annual dog show.
The contest is a fundraiser for both the farmers market and For the Love of Dogs Vermont, a rescue organization that finds homes for around 800 dogs every year. The event ran for the first time in 2017, took a brief hiatus, and returned in 2024.
Local dog owners registered their pets for a $20 fee, and they entered the running to win one of five categories: “Cutest,” “Looks Most Like Their Owner,” “Best Costume,” “Best Trick” and “Worst Breath.”
Plenty of canine-catered vendors joined the party selling treats, toys and clothes. The winner of each category was set to receive a goodie basket with items from Pet Food Warehouse and Romeo’s Naturals, as well as a $25 gift card to the Houndstooth pet boutique.
Behind the vendors and tents, the 18 registered dogs were all lined up and ready for their runway moment. Emcee and local DJ Craig Mitchell explained the rules of the contest while everyone took their places.
Winooski Mayor Thomas Renner was one of the three judges. When the event debuted in 2017, former mayor Seth Leonard started a tradition of having the mayor determine the winner in the “Worst Breath” category.
“It’s one of the duties of being mayor,” Renner said.
In addition to Renner, the other judges were Winooski City Councilor Al Turkos and For the Love of Dogs volunteer Jina Couture.
The dogs and their owners took turns walking down the center aisle through the vendors. They strutted, showed off a trick or two, and greeted the judges to get their breath smelled before stepping aside to await their results.
Some dogs showed off their smarts by catching balls, rolling over, spinning in circles and walking between their owners’ legs. Other dogs got distracted by treats in the tents, pulling their owners astray, and one miniature American shepherd stopped to pee on a tent pole. The pooches behind them followed suit.
“Well, I guess that’s their trick!” Mitchell said.
A couple of dogs appeared in costume, including a Newfoundland named Penelope, who had a pink tutu that matched one worn by her human. A mini dachshund named Rupert was dressed in a bandana and cowboy hat.
Attendees watched and cheered as the antics unfolded. Burlington resident Johanna Epstein was at the event for the first time.
“The dogs were all really cute, especially the ones in costume,” Epstein said.
After all the contestants had their moment in the spotlight, the judges deliberated who the winners would be. Meanwhile, volunteers with For the Love of Dogs showed two dogs up for adoption to the crowd.
After a few minutes, the judges were ready to share their results.
The winner of “Cutest” was Ahki, a husky with three legs. The dog who “Looks Most Like Their Owner” was Scar, both of them sporting mohawks. “Best Trick” went to an Australian shepherd named Kulu, who pulled out every trick in the book. For “Best Costume,” the weiner took it all, and Rupert left with some goodies.
Last but not least, the pink tutu princess named Penelope was this year’s winner of “Worst Breath,” because she drooled all over Renner, according to the mayor.
“(The dog breaths) actually weren’t that bad this year,” Renner said. “We have some good dog parents.”
After the prizes were announced, the competitors gathered for a group photo, and attendees trickled out to peruse the rest of the farmers market.
Sarah Brunkhorst, Downtown Winooski’s event coordinator, said she looks forward to continuing the contest in the years to come.
“Everyone embraces the silliness of it all. It’s such a lighthearted, just fun, silly time,” Brunkhorst said.