The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has launched Petals & Pups – its official dog-friendly program in dedication to hounds and their humans in salute to Toowoomba’s first canine ambassador, Puppy the Pomeranian.
At the very first Carnival parade in 1950, the Toowoomba Thistle Band’s drum major Mr Hugh Morgan set the benchmark with his tartan-clad pooch Puppy marching alongside the ensemble. Today a statue commemorating Puppy stands at the iconic Picnic Point parkland overlooking Toowoomba’s scenic panorama of the Great Dividing Range. The Carnival’s canine friendly program will boast more than 30 dog-friendly activities, 27 off-leash parks and 20 human-and-hound accommodation stays. The Petals & Pups Program includes the cultured canine itinerary, pampered pup itinerary and the adventure dog itinerary. The activities include guided walks, doggie day spa time and bushland adventures at Garnett Lehman Park. The itineraries also include visits at a number of pup friendly cafes around the town including Grind Espresso Rail, Piccolo Papa and The Park House Cafe.
The Carnival of Flowers runs from Friday 21 to Saturday 30 September with 176,030 seedlings and bulbs having been planted for this year’s event. The extravagant display of gardens will play host to events including the Qantas gala dinner, floral parade, Heritage Bank Festival of Food & Wine and a night garden powered by Ergon Energy. The acclaimed festival has events for the entire family – including dogs!
The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers has been honoured to receive the Gold Award for Major Festival and Event at both the Queensland Tourism Awards and Australian Tourism Awards. In addition the carnival has also been awarded Hall of Fame at the 2017 Queensland Tourism Awards.
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