Annual festival celebrating dogs set for Aug. 14

The 17th annual Pupologie’s Cardiff Dog Days of Summer is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14 in the Encinitas Community Park, 425 Santa Fe Drive.

The free event for dogs and dog lovers, organized by Cardiff 101 Main Street and the city of Encinitas, features pet-related vendors, rescue groups, pet adoption agencies, and an agility course by Kamp Kanine.

There will be dog contests, live music, food trucks, food pop-ups, a libation lounge and opportunity drawings.

The Rancho Coastal Humane Society will present “Rescue Row,” a place to adopt pets from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The city of Encinitas “Pet Health Expo” will offer pet services, such as microchipping, licensing and vaccinations, thanks to the San Diego Humane Society. Ethos Veterinary Specialty Hospital will help answer veterinary questions. There will be a dog contest, and first-place winners receive a gift basket filled with dog food, toys and treats. Register at 9 a.m. the day of the event; $10 cash per entry.

Dogs who come to the event must be on a leash at all times at the park, except within the Maggie Houlihan Memorial Dog Park area.

Here’s the lineup of events scheduled for the Main Stage:

9 a.m.: Dog Contest Registration Opens. (Come early to get a spot; contest is limited to 25 entries per category.)

10:10 a.m.: Blessing of the Dogs

10:30 a.m.: Cutest Puppy contest

11 a.m.: Best Looking Big Dog

11:30 a.m.: Best Looking Medium Dog

Noon: Proclamation by a local official

12:30 p.m.: Best Looking Small Dog

1 p.m.: Best Trick

1:30 p.m.: Pupologie Best Dressed

2 p.m.: Look Alike

2:30 p.m.: Silver Faces

4 p.m.: Opportunity Drawing

A free shuttle service from San Dieguito Academy, 800 Santa Fe Drive, runs from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information about the event, visit cardiff101.com.