Submitted by the South Lake Tablet Pup-arazzi
On Saturday morning, June 12, the City of Clermont and the Clermont Police Department presented their first Pups in the Park event, with the help of local business sponsors Pat the Dog and Foxtail Coffee Co.
Dogs of all breeds, ages, and sizes gathered to begin their fun-filled day, with a non-competitive 1-mile walk in the Park at Lake Hiawatha Preserve, 450 12th St. Clermont.
A dog swimsuit parade and competition followed. Judging the swimsuit competition were Pat the Dog owner Pat Caracciolo, Clermont Police Chief Charles Broadway, Clermont Mayor Tim Murry and Councilmember Michelle Barnard Pines. It was ruff to select winners but the contestants remained paws-itve regardless of the outcome. An onlooker remarked, “The hot dogs are lapping up the attention of the Pup-arazzi”.
- Best Male – Pierre the Chihuahua-pit bull mix with owner Melissa France
- Best Overall – Jiko the Labrador retriever with owner Brittnee Griffin
- Best Female – Sienna the greyhound with owner Lindsey Capria
- Honorable Mention – Maverick the greyhound with owner Andrew Wood
- First Place – Lilly the border collie with owner Christian Torres
- Second Place – Zeus the golden doodle with owner Danny Fontana
- Third Place – Bailey the miniature Australian shepherd with owner Cassie Behling
There were lots of other activities including a Frisbee competition, a live DJ, and various Re-tail vendors, and food trucks.
It was definitely a Tail With A Happy Ending
