They all were cute and owners were innovative in the ways they dressed their pets for Allen County Fair’s Best Dressed Pet Contest Thursday. None, though, drew more attention than Brett Wampe’s chicken.
Brett didn’t put the winged entry in coat and tie or outfit it with a grass skirt. Instead, it was the presentation that turned heads.
He placed the bird in a Kentucky Fried Chicken-styled paper bucket and made the presentation complete by naming the fowl Crispy Chicken.
For his efforts, Brett won first place in the miscellaneous division. Second was a tiny rabbit, wearing a straw hat, that Taryn Parker snuggled with during her time at center stage. Third was another rabbit, dressed out by Elizabeth Wilson, and fourth place went to Makayla Moore’s goat.
Six dogs were split into two groups.
First place in the first group went to Karma Knavel, second to Felicita Aguirre and third to Austin Hill. Felicita Aguirre’s dog was true to this year’s luau theme, outfitted with a grass skirt.
In the second group, Toni Macha’s dog was the winner, while Barbie Atkins’ placed second and Ilennia Aguirre’s was third. Macha’s dog, a repeat winner, wore a water sport outfit and Atkins’ was made up to resemble a bee.All contestants were given stuffed animals for their efforts.
THE CONTEST was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but when the temperature soared to near triple digits, organizer Becky Robb decided the heat was too much for pets dressed in confining costumes as well as the owners, and rescheduled the event for 11 a.m. Thursday.
Judges were Trudy Calvert, Angela Slocum and Rikki Menge.
