Guest blog: The Pup Up Cafe host their first ever dog festival in Devon!

The Pup Up Cafe founder Marcus Ackford is born and based in Exeter with family roots firmly planted into Devon life.

Day to day the Pup Up Cafe travels the UK hosting breed specific pop up dog events (yes, really!). They started in 2018 with their first event hosted in Exeter at Exeter Phoenix hosting almost 200 dachshunds throughout the fun-filled dachshund themed day. The successful event was covered by BBC Spotlight, Devon Live and more with the local community having a great time.

At the usual pop up events (the next one in Exeter is at the end of July for dachshunds, pugs, frenchies & doodles), they have local dog based businesses in attendance, lots of themed photo opportunities based on the breed in question, unlimited puppuccions & treats, ball pits, toys, dog sofas, off lead time and lots more for a few hours of socialization for dogs and humans alike.

This Devon visit in question though will be slightly different, as they are hosting their first larger scale outdoor event on the wonderful grounds that is Escot Park in Ottery St Mary. Open to all dog breeds large and small, the festival is super easy to locate with parking only 100 yards of flat ground away from the main site, and seems to be shaping up to be a wonderful day.

Pup Up Cafe: The Festival is celebrating everything dog and everything local. It is being held at Escot Park on Saturday 9th September. With everything from fencing, staff, shepherds hut toilets/bar and bands all coming together to run the event, keeping everything locally sourced from the Devon area. With locally made shepherds hut bars and toilets from Torquay and the main band's lead singer from Plymouth, it can’t get much more Devon based! The staff running the day will all be Pup Up Cafe staff based in Devon along with friends, family and other local hospitality professionals.

On the day of the festival, you will be able to take part in breed specific dog walks around the grounds, alongside dog olympics, tons of photo opportunities, enjoy the bar, a bar(k), plenty of local food options, bands and talks from local veterinary professionals just to name a few activities. There will be up to 50 local dog based businesses from harness and accessory suppliers to dog treats, groomers, doggy ice cream and plenty more local businesses to browse on the day.

So grab your pooch (or a friend if you don’t have a dog) and come along for a dog-fun-filled day and support a local business, run by local people supporting local producers and suppliers. We’re hoping it’s the first year of many for this local business!

Tickets start from £15 for adults and dogs go free! Find out more and grab your tickets on the website: PUP UP CAFE - THE FESTIVAL | Pup Up Cafe 

Check out the video from a previous event below.