Katie Zoeller-Steele and her aunt show off their pups — Lily, Georgia, Jasmine and Jett — who won Best in Show at the third annual Horse Trading Days Dog Show on Saturday in Zelienople The dogs wore a coordinating group costume with Jett, a golden retriever, sporting the striking blonde hair of Goldilocks, and the chihuahua trio dressed as the three bears. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

ZELIENOPLE — The ShuBrew Main Stage was a sight to behold as 18 dogs, some in elaborate costume, were directed, nudged and carried on stage for the third annual Horse Trading Days Dog Show on Saturday, July 22.

Chihuahua trio Lily, Georgia and Jasmine stole the show as Mama Bear, Papa Bear and Baby Bear with their golden retriever pal, Jett, who wore a bright blonde wig in his debut as Goldilocks.

“We talked around what dog costume to do for a while longer than we actually spent doing the costumes,” said Katie Zoeller-Steele, of Cranberry Township, who entered the four dogs in the contest.

This was Zoeller-Steele’s first time entering the family dogs in the show. She learned about the contest after a vet visit at the Windrose Animal Hospital in Cranberry Township.

Owners bribed their pets with treats and gently nudged them as they arrived on stage. With distractions and excitement aplenty, some contestants were more bashful, and some more rambunctious than usual.

After some encouragement, Logan, a beagle mix, successfully walked a shopping cart across the stage with his forelegs, which earned him the Best Trick award.

Axel, a 10-month-old Doberman dressed in rodeo theme, won the title for Best Misbehaved after shyly retreating from instructions in an apparent case of stage fright.

Lisa and Steve Fowler, of Seven Fields, who won the Best Dressed award for a third, consecutive year, adorned their black goldendoodle, Jazmine, in a campfire outfit complete with replica marshmallows and hot dogs.

Lisa Fowler said the costume idea was sparked after she and her husband were invited over for a bonfire by a neighbor.

“There’s a hot dog eating contest after this,” emcee and Windrose Animal Hospital founder R.J. Skalos remarked onstage as the judges below took notes on Jazmine’s costume. “Pretty sure she would probably win that contest. I have a hunch.”

The judges, Kristen Johnson, Alexis D’Amato and Cailyn Pease are veterinarians at the Windrose Animal Hospital and ranked the pets across four categories.

After they had tallied up the points for Best Trick, Best Misbehaved, Best Costume and Best in Show, Skalos announced the names of finalists. As the winners were called up on stage, a trio of rat terriers in the back barked in succession.

The winners received trophy-shaped dog toys, certificates and Amazon gift cards ranging from $50 to $100.

Steve and Lisa Fowler, of Wexford, along with their Goldendoodle Jazmine on Saturday morning for the dog show on the ShuBrew Main Stage at Horse Trading Days in downtown Zelienople. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 7/22/23

Crowds fill the ShuBrew Main Stage on Saturday morning for the dog show at Horse Trading Days in downtown Zelienople. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 7/22/23

After the dog show Saturday morning groups of people lines up at the Windrose Animal Hospital tent at Horse Trading Days in downtown Zelienople. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 7/22/23

Liz Bortnyik and her dog, Axel, come out to show off his costume on Saturday morning on the ShuBrew Main Stage at Horse Trading Days in downtown Zelienople. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 7/22/23

Harper Hess,10, and her sister, Veda Hess, 5, of Renfrew and their dog Logan win for best trick on Saturday morning at the dog show on the ShuBrew Main Stage at Horse Trading Days in downtown Zelienople. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 7/22/23

Steve and Lisa Fowler, of Wexford, along with their Goldendoodle Jazmine take part in the dog show Saturday morning at Horse Trading Days in downtown Zelienople. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle

Tractor rides on Main Street on Saturday morning during at Horse Trading Days in downtown Zelienople. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 7/22/23

Townes Hickmann,2, of Ben Avon picks out his prize on Saturday morning duringat Horse Trading Days in downtown Zelienople. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 7/22/23

Miranda Snyder, of Zelienople, paints the arm of Reese Gielata, 2, of Cranberry Township, on Saturday morning at Horse Trading Days in downtown Zelienople. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 7/22/23

Josie Duty, 3, of Zelienople, picks out a duck on Saturday morning for a prize at Horse Trading Days in downtown Zelienople. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 7/22/23

Declan Kellogg, 6, of Slippery Rock, takes a big bite of his cotton candy on Saturday morning at at Horse Trading Days in downtown Zelienople.Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 7/22/23

Nora Duty, 6, of Zelienople, putts on a putting green for a prize on Saturday morning during at Horse Trading Days in downtown Zelienople. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 7/22/23

Diana Schnieider looks at a book that's for sale at The Little Green Bookstore on Saturday morning duringat Horse Trading Days in downtown Zelienople. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 7/22/23

Bradley Hickmann, 4, of Ben Avon, fills his new water gun on Saturday morning at Horse Trading Days in downtown Zelienople. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 7/22/23

Karen and Clair Gereenawlt, of Zelienople look at some of the offerings at the Designs by T tent on Saturday morning at at Horse Trading Days in downtown Zelienople. Shane Potter/Butler Eagle 7/22/23