Bark in the Park

If you're looking ahead to June, the annual Bark in the Park has been scheduled for Saturday, 6 June, at Queen's Park. This event is a long-standing collaboration between The Friends of Queen’s Park and Coastway Vets, who handle the sponsorship and much of the logistics. It’s a fairly laid-back day that focuses on the local dog-owning community in Brighton. If you’re considering entering your own dog, the process starts at 11:00 at the Coastway Vets tent, where they handle all the registrations. The main event kicks off at 12:00, and the various classes run consecutively until the Best in Show finale at 15:30.

The competition is split into twelve distinct classes, which keeps things moving throughout the afternoon. For the younger dogs under a year old, there’s the Cutest puppy category, while the Golden Oldie class is reserved for those aged seven and over. You’ll also find the standard Handsomest Dog and Prettiest Girl segments, alongside dedicated spots for Best Rescue Boy and Best Rescue Girl. Beyond the looks-based categories, there are a few that test temperament and specific skills, such as the Doggie Triathlon, Temptation Alley, and Best Trick. There’s also a Fancy Dress category and the Best Sausage Catcher, which tends to be a highlight for those watching from the sidelines.

The whole setup is located towards the South Avenue side of the park (BN2 0BP). It’s worth noting that while the schedule is set, the entry fees are currently marked as TBC, so you might want to keep an eye out for those details later this spring. For those who run local businesses, there are also options to get involved through trade stalls or by sponsoring one of the individual classes. It’s a straightforward, family-friendly afternoon that serves as a good excuse to spend a few hours in the park, whether you’re there to compete or just to see which local dog takes home the top prize this year.