Directors make decision to cancel 2020 festival due to Covid-19

The biggest event in the North East canine calendar has announced that it will be rearranging this year's festival amidst the uncertainty of the current global pandemic.

The North East Dog Festival, which was due to take place on Saturday 5th September at Kirkley Hall was expected to bring crowds of over 5000 with many bringing their furry family members along to enjoy a great day out. The event; which would have seen over 30 acres of Kirkley’s agricultural college turned into a doggy extravaganza, is hoping to announce a weekend date for 2021.

The brainchild of two North East business women, Rebecca Ashworth Earle and Dawn Oliver Doyle; the event would have been in its fourth year, and with unprecedented growth over the last two festivals 2020 was set to be bigger again with new attractions.

Rebecca and Dawn; festival directors commented; “Due to safety concerns and the unstable situation we feel we have no other choice but to cancel this year's festival. This is not a decision we have taken lightly but we must consider the health and safety of the public, our traders, our activity providers and all of our team. We know the event is loved by so many and we are truly devastated not to be welcoming all of the visitors and their dogs this September. As a small business we are grateful to those that have shown their support and we hope to bring you something even bigger and better in 2021”