Dozens of costumed pugs competed for top honors at Portland’s second annual PUGapalooza pageant.
Showing image 1 of 12
Jack Rising and pug Brisket, dressed as the May Queen from the film "Midsommar," pose for a portrait at the Pugapalooza event in Portland, Ore., on Aug. 29, 2026. The pair were finalists in the Prettiest Pug Pageant.
Saskia Hatvany / OPB
Showing image 1 of 12
Oz Zavitkovski, 11, readies the family dog Draco for the Prettiest Pug Pageant. Over 100 pugs and their owners participated pageant at the second annual Pugapalooza event.
Saskia Hatvany / OPB
Showing image 1 of 12
The crowd watches the pageant.
Saskia Hatvany / OPB
Showing image 1 of 12
Harper, dressed as a lobster, attends Pugapalooza.
Saskia Hatvany / OPB
Showing image 1 of 12
Michael Spera, left, and Sabrina Yaranon embrace on stage after getting engaged in a surprise proposal.
Saskia Hatvany / OPB
Showing image 1 of 12
A crowd watches the pageant.
Saskia Hatvany / OPB
Showing image 1 of 12
A pug dressed as "Elpha-pug" in reference to the Broadway musical "Wicked," left, and a pug dressed as "Dolly Pug-ton," named after the late country singer Dolly Parton, greet each other.
Saskia Hatvany / OPB
Showing image 1 of 12
Stickers are laid out on a table. Pugapalooza was part of the Portland Saturday Market, and was held in partnership with local nonprofit Pacific Pug Rescue.
Saskia Hatvany / OPB
Showing image 1 of 12
Roxy, dressed as "Pug-cess Leia," attends the event.
Saskia Hatvany / OPB
Showing image 1 of 12
Suzanne Vinson (center) greets a pug while sitting with her dog Floyd.
Saskia Hatvany / OPB
Showing image 1 of 12
Draco receives attention after competing in the Prettiest Pug Pageant.
Saskia Hatvany / OPB
Showing image 1 of 12
Erika Nordman poses for a portrait with Meatball the pug, dressed as Russel from the movie "Up."
Saskia Hatvany / OPB
It was lights, camera — fashion for dozens of pugs at the Prettiest Pug Pageant Saturday as hundreds turned out to show off their squished-faced companions during PUGapalooza.
The Pacific Pug Rescue partnered with the Portland Saturday Market for the second annual event.
The theme for this year’s pageant was “Barkbuster Movies.” Pugs of all shapes and sizes competed to win People’s Choice and Portland’s Prettiest Pug.
You could find pugs dressed as characters from A24’s “Midsommar,” Disney’s “Up,” and as “Pug-cess Leia” from “Star Wars.”
The event wasn’t just for the dogs. Michael Spera took it as an opportunity to propose to his girlfriend, Sabrina Yaranon, with a ring and pug in hand.
For more information on how to adopt a pug from Pacific Pug Rescue, or to donate, visit pacificpugrescue.org.
Saskia Hatvany contributed reporting to this story.
