4,000 pug-lovers to descend on MediaCityUK for Manchester’s first EVER PugFest

After hitting headlines last month with an appeal for volunteers, PugFest is now completely sold out, and will take place on the MediaCityUK piazza, 12-5pm on Sunday 16^th July.

The TV and film-themed PugFest will include a red carpet entrance for VIPs (very important pugs) and their owners, a fun splash zone with cooling station, and a series of themed “zones” for pugs to visit. A team of 20 “pug paps” will be there on the day to snap the pugs’ fancy-dress frolics, as they visit a series of Comicon-style exhibitions.

“The Star Wars Experience” zone will be complete with life-size, authentic X-Wing fighter, and the chance to take selfies with Princess Leia, Chewbacca and Hans Solo. Other exhibitions include a “Back To The Future” zone, and the “Jurassic Pug” zone which features three huge T-Rex dinosaurs.

Special guests will include Channel 5’s Pip Ahoy, ITV’s Judge Rinder, the original lead singer of The Drifters and the French and Pug dog foundation patron, Ray Lewis, and a lookalike of X Factor’s Simon Cowell, to judge the “Britain’s Top Pug Model” competition.

Martin Clowes, PugFest organiser, said: “When we first announced we were coming to Manchester, the response was epic, and we are so excited for our biggest ever, sell-out event at MediaCityUK.  We’re pulling out all the stops to put on a really special show for our pug-loving guests, and most importantly, raising money for our dedicated dog charities.”

Proceeds from tickets sold for PugFest will go to The French and Pug Dog Foundation. PugFest was launched in 2014 by organisers Rob Clowes and his father, Martin Clowes, in tribute to their late pet rescue pug, Poppy. Since then, the concept has taken off and the pair have put on over 25 shows in major cities across the UK, with future plans for Dublin and Marbella.

Paul Newman, communication director at MediaCityUK, said: “Since announcing back in January that we would be hosting Manchester’s first ever PugFest, we have been blown away by the response. The TV and film theme is a perfect fit, and it’s also a chance for families to come and enjoy the event, taking in all that MediaCityUK has to offer. For those who want to enjoy the Wimbledon final on the same day, we’re showing the tennis on our big screen, so there’s something for everyone. We’re looking forward to a packed weekend!”