Barking Beauty Pageant Coming To The Hamptons For Its Second Year - 27 East

Arts & Living

Arts & Living / 1507863

Barking Beauty Pageant Coming To The Hamptons For Its Second Year

icon 4 Photos
Last year's Barking Beauty, Puccini.

Last year's Barking Beauty, Puccini.

King Mufasa was the winner of last year's active wear competition.

King Mufasa was the winner of last year's active wear competition.

Barking Beauties contestant.

Barking Beauties contestant.

Andre showing off his talents during the 2018 Talent Competition. He was the talent winner.

Andre showing off his talents during the 2018 Talent Competition. He was the talent winner.

authorStaff Writer on Aug 16, 2019

Every dog is beautiful, but only one pup gets the Barking Beauty sash at this pageant. Last year, a yorkie poo named Puccini took the honor.

Though there may be just one top dog in this contest, many others will be crowned throughout the evening of Thursday, August 29, at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center (WHBPAC). The annual Barking Beauty Pageant is a contest that's all about canine personality, cuteness and, ultimately, raising money for local causes. This year’s beneficiaries of are RSVP Inc Animal Welfare & Rescue Group and the WHBPAC Children's Arts Academy. Eleven prizes will be awarded to contestants in a range of categories and all the human attendees will likely leave the theater with a smile on their face.

“We combine the dog show idea with the human pageant idea and the trick thing people love to see dogs do,” said the founding director of the Barking Beauty Pageant, Leslie Kennedy. “It’s like Miss America for dogs.”

There are four categories that determines which dog gets the Barking Beauty sash, including photogenic, activewear, glamour wear and talent competitions. There are also additional competitions that are optional.

“I had not heard of an actual pageant where dogs can compete in more than one category like a human pageant,” Ms. Kennedy said. “And I still haven’t heard of it. I think we’re the only ones who do it like this.”

As if dogs in cute outfits raising money for local causes was not enough of a draw, a dog named King Mufasa, who benefited by proceeds from last year’s pageant to help pay for surgery to fix his compromised legs, will be competing in this year’s pageant. He is currently staying with a foster parent who volunteers at RSVP Inc.

Ms. Kennedy founded the Barking Beauty Pageant in 2006 when she was involved in a group called Stone Soup Kitchen Theatre. The organization needed some fresh fundraising ideas and Ms. Kennedy remembered that she did pageants as a teenager, competing in the Miss America system. She was also a dog owner. Dogs and beauty pageants were the ultimate combination for Ms. Kennedy, and apparently for many other dogs and owners.

“My dog was the inaugural barking beauty,” Ms. Kennedy said. “She was my inspiration to start the pageant.”

She joked that having her dog, SalliSue, compete now would not be fair because “she’s the most beautiful dog.”

From 2006 to 2012, the Barking Beauty Pageant was held in New York City, attracting dog owners and pups alike from across the East Coast to compete in this event.

Ms. Kennedy took a hiatus in 2012 to learn more about operating a business. During that time she married Scott Kennedy, a sculpter, and in 2013, moved to Westhampton Beach from New York City.

“This is the most dog friendly town I’ve ever been in,” Ms. Kennedy said. “I’m just so excited about bringing the Barking Beauty Pageant here.”

The pageant resumed in 2018 at Dockers Waterside Marina & Restaurant in East Quogue.

“It’s just so much fun,” Ms. Kennedy said. “It’s just silly fun and it’s all about loving that animal, loving kids and celebrating that bond between that pet parent and their fur baby.”

The Barking Beauty Pageant will take place at the Westhampton Beach Performing Arts Center, 76 Main Street, Westhampton Beach, on Thursday, August 29. An opening cocktail reception at 6 p.m. will feature free hor d'oeuvres, a cash bar and a chance to meet the contestants, judges and other dignitaries, with the pageant to follow at 8 p.m. Tickets for the cocktail hour and pageant are $75 and tickets for the pageant only are $60. More information can be found online at barkingbeautypageant.org or whbpac.org.

You May Also Like:

Leigh Bardugo Comes to Sag Harbor Books for Book Signing, Meet and Greet

Growing up, best-selling author Leigh Bardugo always knew she wanted to be a writer, but ... 11 Jul 2025 by Hope Hamilton

Springs Artist Fitzhugh Karol Debuts Outdoor Sculpture Show at Duck Creek

The Arts Center at Duck Creek will present “Fitzhugh Karol: On the Grounds,” a site-specific ... 8 Jul 2025 by Staff Writer

La Goulue Sur Mer Arrives in Southampton, With a Dash of Chaos and a Side of Style

“Is it true?” said the anxious DM on my Instagram account. “Is La Goulue really ... by Steven Stolman

Art on a Line: Guild Hall’s Clothesline Sale Hangs Tough for 2025

Guild Hall’s beloved Clothesline Art Sale returns on Saturday, July 19, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The annual event, a Hamptons tradition since 1946, transforms the museum’s lawn into a sea of original artwork — hung on clotheslines — and offers visitors the chance to purchase local art at accessible prices. Jackson Pollock once sold a painting at the sale for $250, and past participants have included Lee Krasner, Alfonso Ossorio, Elaine and Willem de Kooning and other art-world icons. The event continues to offer a rare opportunity for the public to view and purchase work by East End ... by Staff Writer

The Climate-Friendly Fitness Routine

“Live simply so that others might simply live” — Mahatma Gandhi The first time I ... by Jenny Noble

Joy Behar Gets the Last Laugh in ‘My First Ex-Husband' at Bay Street Theater, July 14-19

Emmy Award-winning comedian and co-host of “The View,” Joy Behar stars in “My First Ex-Husband,” a bold, funny and heartfelt new play based on true stories from her life. The limited engagement runs July 14 through 19, at Bay Street Theater in Sag Harbor. With razor-sharp wit and no filters, “My First Ex-Husband” explores the messy, hilarious truths of love, sex and relationships. Adapted from Behar’s personal experiences, the show is both deeply personal and widely relatable. Behar will appear on stage on July 14, 18 and 19. Also appearing nightly, July 14 through 19, are Veanne Cox, a Tony-nominated ... by Staff Writer

Experience the Rhythms of Brazil With Nilson Matta’s Voyage Quartet

Grammy-nominated bassist Nilson Matta will lead his Brazilian Voyage Quartet at The Church on Friday, July 25, at 6 p.m. The concert is part of Hamptons JazzFest. The group features acclaimed guitarist Chico Pinheiro and offers a rich exploration of samba, bossa nova and modern Brazilian jazz. Matta, a founding member of the renowned Trio da Paz and longtime collaborator with Yo-Yo Ma on the Grammy-winning “Obrigado Brazil” project, is known for blending traditional Brazilian rhythms with contemporary jazz. His lyrical bass playing and deep rhythmic connection have earned him international acclaim. Guitarist Chico Pinheiro, recognized as a leading voice ... by Staff Writer

At the Galleries for July 10, 2025

Montauk The Depot Art Gallery, at the Montauk railroad station at the corner of Flamingo ... by Staff Writer

Round and About for July 10, 2025

Fireworks Shelter Island Fireworks The Shelter Island fireworks will be held on Saturday, July 12, ... by Staff Writer

Curtis Institute of Music Alumni and Faculty To Perform in East Hampton on July 22

Talented alumni and faculty from the world-renowned Curtis Institute of Music will tour the East Coast this summer, with a concert scheduled for Tuesday, July 22, at 7 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of East Hampton. The event is presented by Music for Montauk. The program features beloved melodies ranging from Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess” to works by Brahms and de Falla. Performers include mezzo-soprano Katie Trigg, violinist Elissa Lee Koljonen, pianist Hanchien Lee, and Curtis Institute President and violist Roberto Díaz. The concert program includes: Manuel de Falla’s “Suite Populaire Espagnole,” performed by Díaz (viola) and Lee (piano); ... by Staff Writer