The Morris & Essex Kennel Club Dog Show returned to its long-running celebration of dogs and vintage style in New Jersey, bringing together 4,000 dogs and roughly 50,000 people to honor the event’s legacy.

That scale matters because the show recreates the glamour of the original run from 1927–1957, which was spearheaded by founder Geraldine Rockefeller Dodge, then age 75. The original Morris & Essex Dog Show, known for its prestige, was one of America’s largest and most elegant, drawing thousands of entries at its peak. Revived in 2000, the modern iteration appears every five years and intentionally pairs competitive judging with period fashion and hospitality.

The original Morris & Essex show established a template of pageantry and high society that the club has sought to preserve. The Morris & Essex Kennel Club organizes the modern event, which places an emphasis on vintage attire and traditional presentation alongside breed judging and trophies. Vintage fashion events at the Morris & Essex Dog Show enhance the overall culture of dog shows by preserving historical traditions and elevating the event’s prestige, encouraging attendees to wear 1920s-1940s styles.

Walking around the grounds, attendees and exhibitors said the costumes are as much a draw as the dogs: “Walking around the grounds, you’ll see a lot of hats, sparkles, and three-piece suits,” reads one vivid detail associated with the event. Exhibitors and visitors described a setting where period hats—fedoras, bowlers and derby styles—sit alongside show rings and trophy tents.

Exhibitors embraced the atmosphere. “It’s a great show and a great environment,” said Jim Friedhoffer, an exhibitor from San Diego, California. Janet McMillans, also an exhibitor, described her own effort to match the era: “I’m attempting to embrace the aura of the show with the hat and the outfit.” This commitment to period aesthetics serves as a tribute to the event’s legacy.

Attendees noted personal ties to vintage wardrobe. “I actually made [this dress] about eight years ago for an anniversary, and I thought it’d be perfect for this,” said Bonnie Sofranic of Broadheadsville, Pennsylvania. Other visitors arrived in family heirlooms and repurposed pieces that echoed the 1927–1957 period, reinforcing the emotional connection to the past.

The canine cast at the event ranged across breeds and named competitors: Adella, a Beagle; a Griffon; and a Chesapeake Bay Retriever were among those recorded in the show roster. Professional handlers and amateurs alike piloted a broad mix of dogs through judging panels that reflect the club’s effort to mirror historic presentation styles.

Professional handlers also discussed costume decisions as part of their presentation. “This is actually a repurpose,” said Vickie Venzen, a professional handler from Palzo, Maryland, describing the way period clothing can be adapted for modern use within the show environment. Owners looking to participate in future events can submit entries for the next Morris & Essex Dog Show on October 1, 2025, with an opening date for entries set for August 4, 2025.

The combination of dogs and dress cultivates an emotional tone noted by participants: attendees from across regions gather not only to compete but to celebrate a shared history. One attendee put it simply: “Any excuse to wear an outfit and do a theme, I am here for,” said Stephanie Woodrow.

The show’s five-year cadence and 2000 revival create a sense of rarity and anticipation built on the original years of competition and spectacle. Organizers maintain the vintage focus as part of that continuity, linking today’s event to the original format created under Dodge’s direction between 1927 and 1957.

The Morris & Essex Kennel Club continues to stage the event as both a competitive dog show and a commemorative occasion that foregrounds historical fashion alongside breed excellence. Coverage of the event’s history and fashion tradition is documented by the American Kennel Club, and extended features on the show’s revival and format are available through Showsight Magazine.

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Original reporting: view the original article.