INDIANAPOLIS — The Indiana State Fairgrounds West Pavilion has literally gone to the dogs.
Thousands of dogs from across the country arrived in Indianapolis for the Indy Winter Classic. The event will help select contestants for the much larger Westminster Dog Show.
"This event is 101 years old," said Rick Crouch of the Hoosier Kennel Club, which organizes the Indy Winter Classic. "Next to the 500, we're probably one of the oldest events in Indiana."
The Hoosier Kennel Club said more than 9,000 dogs representing about 200 breeds will participate in the Indy Winter Classic. The event started Wednesday and will last through the weekend.
That roster includes John Fabelo of Cincinnati and his English setter, Mango.
"Indy is a great show, we've been coming here for many years," Fabelo said. "The quality of this building and the light makes it fun to be in here. You have natural light, you don't have the fluorescent lights flickering. It's just a good building to be in."
Heidi Bell brought her poodles from Alberta, Canada for the competition.
"When I told my husband I'd like to do a dog show in Indianapolis, he said, 'What?'" Bell said. "It's obviously bigger than a lot of the shows in Canada."
Crouch said the Indianapolis show has enough prestige to compete for a major award from the American Kennel Club.
"We're nominated for the top cluster of the year," Crouch said. "There's another large show going on right now in Atlanta, Georgia. We had people from Atlanta who came here instead of going to their local show."
The Indy Winter Classic is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through the weekend, with hours extended to 7 p.m. on Saturday. It will cost you $10 to park at the fairgrounds.
-
DPW works to clear streets under new policy after historic snowstorm
Nearly a week after a historic snowstorm blanketed Indianapolis, some residential streets remain unplowed, leaving drivers stranded and residents frustrated with the city's snow removal efforts.
Local pediatricians push back on CDC's reduced childhood vaccine schedule
Local pediatricians are pushing back on new guidance from the CDC that cuts the childhood vaccine schedule from 18 to 11 diseases, saying it's a decision not grounded in science.
IMPD swears in 33rd recruiting class, last under Chief Chris Bailey
Twenty-three new police officers were sworn in to protect and serve the Indianapolis area during a graduation ceremony Thursday, the final recruiting class to join the force under Chief Chris Bailey.
Subzero temperatures create challenges for central Indiana flower deliveries
Central Indiana is in the middle of an extended stretch of days with below-freezing temperatures. Florists like Melissa Smith and her team have to make do.
