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Barking up the wrong tree: Day of the Dog moving from Oak Bay to Saanich

The Day of the Dog festival, co-founded 14 years ago by Leo Powell and Jordan Illingworth, moved from Oak Bay to Saanich on May 8, 2025.
The relocation followed Powell withdrawing his Oak Bay application after receiving a district letter two weeks earlier and learning council approval was required.
The planned event on August 17 would have attracted about 10,000 people and hundreds of dogs, closing Oak Bay Avenue temporarily despite concerns from local businesses and residents.
Martin Cownden, BIA president, stated businesses did not support closing the street for an unrelated event, while the district apologized for a procedural error and is reviewing its process.
Powell signed a contract on May 9 to host the festival at Galey Farms in Saanich, maintaining the August 17 date despite Oak Bay's withdrawn approval and event removal from the council agenda.

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