Registration is now open for the second annual Uptown Companion Dog Show in White Rock.

There will be day-of registrations, but organizers say if you want to be guaranteed a spot, it's better to act now.

The event, the only dog show in White Rock, is set for Saturday, Sept. 8.

The entry fee for the show is by donation, with money raised going to the SPCA.

Prizes will be awarded for best in category for small, medium and large breeds, as well as judges' favourite and the crowd pleaser "Most Like Owner."

The Companion Dog Show will be held at Central Plaza, on North Bluff Road. It is part of the Uptown Street & Art Festival, which runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. that day, and features a number of events and attractions, including an Art Walk, Todd Brewer Music Stage, sidewalk sales, decorated bike contest and parade, Chili Cook Off Contest, pirate encampment and an art exhibition on Russell Avenue.

A street exhibition hosted by Golden Cactus Art Studio includes featured artists Mike Abraham, Sandy Cattermole, Dave Benning, Marilyn Hurst, Chris MacClure, Trish Pollack, Jesse Rice, Susan Sommer and Ann Worth.

The Uptown Art Walk is a chance to see original art at each of the participating merchants who host an art exhibit, and collect stamps along the way. Once a visitor's Art Walk passport has reached a minimum number of stamps, they are able to enter a draw to win a piece from among the entries on exhibit. The Uptown Art Walk is in partnership with the Outside the Box Exhibition, which runs Sept. 8 to Oct. 5

Over at the inaugural Uptown Decorated Bike and Scooter Parade, cyclists of all ages are invited to safety demonstrations and checks for both bikes and scooters on Sept.

8.

The parade starts at noon, with demos and judging scheduled for earlier in the day at Central Plaza. All who take part are required to wear helmets, and children in the parade will have to be accompanied by a parent.

The parade is free to enter, with judging based on creativity and originality. Age categories are three to five, six to nine, 10 to 13, and seniors.

And, of course, every festival has a food component. The Uptown Street Festival's Chili Cook-Off Contest is visitors' chance to pick their favourite kind of chili.

A Tasting Kit, at $5 each, comes with a chili tasting card, sample of bread and people's choice award ballot. Money raised from kit sales go toward White Rock Millennium Rotary's local projects and charities.

For more information on the festival and Companion Dog Show, see inwhiterock. com.

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