Cape Charles Celebrates Vets and Pets for Veterans Day Weekend

In honor of Veterans Day 2023, the town of Cape Charles is hosting its first-ever Vets and Pets Weekend. The festivities, scheduled for Nov. 11 and 12, will include the inaugural Dock Dogs event in Central Park, a special ceremony, and sales and promotions from town merchants.

Cape Charles mayor Adam Charney reminds us that this isn’t the first time Cape Charles has hosted a Dock Dogs competition. “Several years ago, Cape Charles was honored to host a national Dock Dogs competition that was met with resounding enthusiasm and community engagement,” Charney says. “After assuming the role of Mayor, I felt compelled to revive this exhilarating event that once captivated our town. Following thoughtful discussions with fellow council members, we identified Veterans Day Weekend as the ideal occasion for the festivities.

“Our dual intent was to not only provide a riveting experience for our residents but also to pay tribute to our brave veterans in a meaningful way.” All proceeds from the event will go to the Wounded Warrior Project. 

Promising to be a high-energy, family-friendly event, the Dock Dogs competition invites pups and their handlers to compete in a variety of water-based activities. Some of the challenges include: 

• Big Air: Essentially a long jump for dogs, this challenges competitors to run down a dock and leap as far as they can into a pool of water.
• Speed Retrieve: This timed event challenges dogs to sprint down the dock, jump into the water, and then swim to retrieve an item as quickly as possible.
• Extreme Vertical: This high-jump event challenges dogs to leap off the dock to grab a toy suspended in the air.

Do you think your dog has what it takes to compete? Learn more about the rules and register right here. 

And if you’d rather just watch, simply head to Central Park to cheer on your favorite pups from the sidelines — admission is free for observers. Keep in mind that all dogs must be leashed at all times at this event, and no retractable leashes will be allowed. 

In addition to the Dock Dogs events, American Legion Northampton Post 56 will hold a Veterans Day Ceremony at the Cape Charles War Memorial on November 11 at 11 a.m. Veterans and the public are invited to attend. 

And it wouldn’t be Veterans Day weekend without some standout sales and promotions from local merchants. Among the noteworthy events in Cape Charles: Chuckletown Productions will be hosting a red poppy lapel pin giveaway in addition to offering their usual 10 percent military discount. Cape Charles Mini Golf is offering a free round of mini golf to all veterans Friday through Sunday. And Local-ISH Art will offer 10 percent off to all veterans throughout the weekend. Any military stay at the Bay Haven Inn is always 10 percent off as well and you’ll have backyard access to the event!