September 18 to 27 – with parks activating every weekend in September
As if petal power was not enough! The acclaimed Toowoomba Carnival of Flowershas today unveiled Petals and Pups 2020 – its official dog-friendlyprogram, completely dedicated to hounds and their humans and in salute toToowoomba’s first canine Ambassadog, ‘ Puppy’ the Pomeranian.
In an historic move, the second ever Ambassadog in 71 years has been named– Rambo , a seven-month-old, tricolour, pure-bred Australian Shepherd,will proudly fly the canine flag this year!
“Dogs have always been a part of the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. At thevery first Carnival parade in 1950 the Toowoomba Thistle Band’s drum major, MrHugh Morgan, set the benchmark with his tartan-clad pooch ‘Puppy’ marchingalongside the ensemble. Today a statue commemorating ‘Puppy’ stands in theiconic Picnic Point parkland which overlooks Toowoomba’s scenic panorama ofthe Great Dividing Range,” Cr James O’Shea, Chair of the Toowoomba RegionalCouncil Environment and Community Committee said. “In 2020 we look forward towelcoming visitors and locals to celebrate with their dogs all across thecity.”
In a year that has seen a raft of events cancelled due to COVID-19, theToowoomba Carnival of Flowers will bloom brightly this September as one of thefirst major events to be staged post-lockdown. The 2020 program features over30 events and activations with 48 local tour departures ready to go. Allevents, experiences and areas will be managed with COVID-19 safe plans inplace.
**** Over 170,000 blooms have been planted across the city’s major parks andpublic spaces to create a spectacular canvas of colour for much neededcelebrations in September.
The pawsome Petals and Pups 2020 program boasts more than 20 dog-friendlyactivities and 27 off-leash parks, as well as dog-friendly cafes, restaurantsand accommodation recommendations.
Rambo’s owner Howard Du Plessis said Toowoomba was a brilliant city for dog-owners. “Toowoomba dogs must truly be some of the luckiest in the country – wehave the glorious Queens Park Botanic Gardens and Laurel Bank Park toadventure through, as well as 27 off-leash areas. Rambo can absolutelyrecommend the off-leash areas across Toowoomba, it’s one of his favouritethings to do! Rambo and I are looking forward to welcoming dogs and theirowners from far and wide this September. Like lots of millennials, Rambo loveshaving his photo taken, so if you see him during Carnival, come and say hi!”
Rambo was born on Christmas Day last year and is quite the celebrity inToowoomba, even boasting his own instagram account(@rambo_the_australian_shepherd).
Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers’ Petals and Pups program:
Cultured Canine Itinerary – if spending a weekend strolling throughperfectly manicured gardens, taking in amazing art and indulging in a longlunch (all with your canine companion in tow) appeals, then this is yourpawfect pick. The days starts with some laneway love, exploring Toowoomba’sfantastic street art scene, before a visit to Picnic Point where a selfie withthe famous bronze statue of “Puppy” is a must. From here, it’s a lazy lunch,before an off-leash play at Queens Park and then some petal time in theBotanic Gardens.
Pampered Pup Itinerary – a fur-bulous day of Instagrammable indulgence!This begins with a puppyccino (and cappuccino for the human), before somedoggie day spa time (a signature cut and blow dry perhaps) followed by somewell-behaved dog-friendly local luxe shopping (hello Harolds FinishingTouches) before taking in the blooms at Laurel Bank Park.
Adventure Dog Itinerary – it’s barking brilliant for action-packedtrailblazers and starts with a hearty breakfast, a bushland adventure atGarnett Lehman Park, a snack (and a great single origin coffee for humans)before free ranging at Dr Alex Horn Park (great for sunsets)!
FULL ITINERARIES, DOG FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS AND DIRECTIONS ATTCOF.COM.AU
**Pet Friendly Places to Eat:
Toowoomba locals will tell you the café scene is worth sticking around for!Plan your day around stopping in for fresh local produce filled eats andmaster-brewed coffee at some of the region’s best dog-friendly cafes.
– Bar Wunder – 424 Ruthven St
– Burrow Café – 117a Bridge St
– Gips Restaurant – 120 Russell St
– Ground Up – 501 Ruthven St
– Home Grown Health – 11 Railway St
– Milk & Honey Espresso – 6 Ann St
– New Brew Café – 102 Taylor St
– Pony Espresso Coffee Bar – 2a Bowen St
– Travellers Coffee House – 189 Hume Street
– The Finch – 469-473 Ruthven St
– Urth Café – 195 Hume Street
**Travel Essentials
To ensure your pooch day is pawsome make sure you pack a water bottle andbowl, leash and harness, poop bags, familiar food and snacks and a ball orfrisbee to chase.
All information at tcof.com.au
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