Record number of dogs descend on Sussex pumpkin festival as annual costume competition returns
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A popular Sussex visitor attraction welcomed a record number of four-legged guests as its annual dog day returned for a third consecutive year.
Hundreds of paws were among the pumpkins at Tulleys Farm near Crawley on Thursday (October 15), as the attraction hosted its annual Pooches, Paws & Pumpkins event.
The special day has become a firm favourite with local families and dog owners, with visitors heading to the West Sussex attraction to enjoy pumpkin picking alongside their four-legged companions.
Now in its third year, the event saw a record number of dogs attend, with the popular canine costume competitions once again proving a highlight of the day.
Among the winners were Lexi, Beanie and Minnie, who took first place alongside their owner, Emmi Carter, after impressing judges with their costumes.
Two competitions took place throughout the day, at 12pm and 3pm, with owners dressing their pets in an array of colourful and creative outfits.
Visitors were also able to enjoy free dog photoshoots, meet representatives from the Dogs Trust and explore a range of activities for their four-legged companions. There were a few tasty extras for the dogs too, with Butternut Box on hand offering samples to some very willing taste testers.
The event forms part of Tulleys Pumpkin Festival, which is billed as Europe's Largest Pumpkin Festival and has become one of Sussex's best-known seasonal attractions.
The festival features 1.5 million pumpkins and gourds, more than 100 varieties and over 30 photo opportunities, alongside live entertainment, food stalls and pumpkin picking.
This year also marks 30 years of Halloween celebrations at Tulleys, with the family-run Sussex attraction continuing to expand its seasonal offering.
Among the latest additions is The Pumpkin Valley, a new area for 2026 featuring giant pumpkin sculptures, winding pathways, ponds and colourful seasonal displays.
Although Thursday's event was dedicated to dogs, the attraction welcomes four-legged visitors throughout the festival, making it a popular choice for families wanting to bring their pets along for a day out.
Tulleys Pumpkin Festival runs until Saturday, October 31, with tickets and further information available at PumpkinFarm.co.uk.