Winter Fest Barkfest set for Feb. 14 and 15 in Lewes
The Eighth Annual Lewes Winter Fest Barkfest will take place Friday and Saturday, Feb. 14 and 15, in the historic commercial district surrounding Second Street in Lewes and across the canal at Irish Eyes Pub & Restaurant. The event gives Valentine’s Day shoppers and diners additional activities in which to participate and attend.
The popular event has included a Pet Pageant for the past seven years on Saturday afternoon, and three years ago another event was added for Friday evening - a Yappy Hour for Pets and People. Comcast Spotlight continues as the event’s media sponsor and financial contributor for the eighth year. During the two-day Winter Fest event, numerous retail businesses and restaurants will offer Valentine holiday-themed specials including discounts on specific items.
The Yappy Hour component of the Winter Fest Barkfest was conceived by Lesley Bowers, owner of P.U.P.S. (Pawsitively Unique Pet Shop) on Second Street, who also initiated the Pet Pageant eight years ago. Irish Eyes Pub & Restaurant on the canal in Lewes will host pets, their owners and people who like to yap from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, Feb. 14, on the restaurant's heated, enclosed porch. The Georgetown SPCA will host a Fill the Van during both events; it is soliciting donations of blankets, sheets, pet food, kitty litter, toys, dog bones and bleach for cleaning kennels. Attendees to the Yappy Hour can come with or without pets, and dogs should be on a leash with one dog per handler. Irish Eyes will feature specialty beverages that evening, such as a Bark-tini, Cat-atonic, and Mutt-ini and there will be a 50/50 raffle benefitting the Georgetown SPCA. Irish Eyes is also donating 10 percent of total food sales for the entire day to the SPCA.
At 2 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 15, the popular Pet Pageant returns to “Bark” Street (Bank Street temporarily renamed for the event). The four categories of competition are Formal Wear, Leisure Wear, Companion Look Alike and Kids Freestyle, open only to children. Registration takes place at P.U.P.S. at 117 Second St. Register from noon to 1:30 p.m. the day of the event in front of Citizens Bank. The registration entry donation is $5 and benefits the Georgetown SPCA. All contestants must be on-site no later than 1:30 p.m. to receive their entry numbers. Contestants will line up with their owners at 1:45 p.m. behind Citizens Bank. This year, very special shelter dogs will be at the event to show their unconditional love and look for their forever homes.
For more information about the event, contact the Lewes Chamber of Commerce at 302-645-8073.
