ORLEANS – Animal lovers will have the chance to celebrate their pets at the upcoming 2026 Dogwood Festival Best in Show, hosted by Kirk Veterinary Service on Friday, April 24. The popular community event will begin at 5 p.m. at Orleans Congress Square, welcoming animals of all kinds to compete for the festival’s top honor.
Registration for the free event will open at 4:30 p.m., and pets with handlers of all ages are encouraged to participate. From dogs and cats to reptiles and farm animals, the competition aims to showcase the wide variety of beloved pets in the community.
Preliminary judging will be held across several categories, including:
- Small dogs (1–25 lbs)
- Medium dogs (26–50 lbs)
- Large dogs (51+ lbs)
- Cats
- Pocket pets (ferrets, hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, rabbits, hedgehogs, sugar gliders and more)
- Reptiles and amphibians (snakes, lizards, iguanas, turtles, tortoises, frogs and similar animals)
- Birds
- Farm animals
One winner will be selected from each category, and those winners will then compete for the overall title of 2026 Dogwood Festival Best in Show.
In addition to bragging rights, category winners will receive a special opportunity to ride on the Kirk Veterinary Service float during the Dogwood Festival Parade the following day.
Event organizers remind participants that dogs and cats three months of age or older should be current on their rabies vaccinations. For safety, all pets must be kept on a leash or secured in carriers or crates while attending the event.
With a wide range of animals, friendly competition and family-friendly fun, the Best in Show event is expected to be one of the highlights of the 2026 Dogwood Festival.
