Footy fans and dog lovers to take over Newcombe Street

PORTARLINGTON’S Newcombe Street will transform from sidewalk to catwalk as the eighth annual Portarlington AFL Dog Fashion Parade returns later today.

The event, which allows owners to dress up their pooches in their favourite footy colours at Portarlington’s Community Information Booth, is a spring favourite for the local community with dog advocacy group Woofers and Walkers again hosting the proceedings.

Woofers and Walkers representative and MC for today’s event Julie Elterman said many hands makes the parade an event worth watching.

“It’s a great way for people to come together to farewell the footy season and celebrate dogs and fashion,” Ms Elterman said.

“We get a good number of dogs participating each year, approximately 20 dogs or so, and we have a full range of awards up for grabs so owners can always be in the running for something.

“We have a lot of local traders joining in this year, last time we counted we have seven businesses contributing to this year’s event in some fashion. We’re super excited for this year’s parade.”

Donations will again be accepted throughout the day, which will be sent directly to Portarlington’s Food Assist 3223 organisation where proceeds will be used to purchase pet food.

Prizes up for grabs include the best in parade, a judges’ award, a stylish senior award, the up and comer award and the encouragement award to name a few.

The Portarlington AFL Dog Fashion Parade has been held as far back as 2015 when the Victorian Parliament first passed the long weekend into Victoria’s calendar.

“It’s just terrific and the joy I get from it is seeing the dogs and owners both smiling,”

“I always look back at the archives and I always get a kick out of it, I can’t help it, but the dogs are the superstars that’s for sure.”

The parade will begin at 11am with entrant registration starting at 10.30am.