For the 78th year, dogs of every shape, size and personality filled up the southeast corner of Rectory Square along with their owners for Grace Episcopal Church’s annual spring dog show.

The festivities, emceed by Grace’s Father James Barnhill, started at noon. When they ended more than two hours later, an Australian Terrier named Van took home the Rev. Harry E. Lawhon Jr. Champion Trophy as the Best in Show. Van is actually a nickname. According to Lisa Weaver, Van’s full name is Benayr Starry Knight at Dreamweaver.

The win was bittersweet as Weaver announced that Van, who also won the Puppies (6 months to 1 year) category, was going to a new home the next day.

An Irish Wolfhound named Phoebe earned Reserve Best in Show, brought to the show by Steve Levan. Phoebe also won a blue ribbon in the Miscellaneous Hounds category.

Dogs competed in 16 categories, ranging from Costume Class to the Harry D. Kirkover Award for children’s handling (overall).

Ozzie, a Scottish Terrier won the Costume Class, wearing a tartan along with two young handlers. Emily Boyles, granddaughter of Ozzie’s owner, Gloe Watson, and Emily’s friend, Liza Smoak, wore outfits to match Ozzie’s. About 45 minutes later, Ozzie also took home a blue ribbon in the Miscellaneous Terriers category.

More than a dozen dogs entered what was officially on the program as the Dogs Obtained From Any Animal Shelter category. The winner: Asparagus, owned by Katherine Knight and handled by her niece, Madison Riggins.

Entry fees for the dog show, along with refreshment sales and raffle tickets for an original Robert Ariail cartoon celebrating the show raised money for the Walter M. Crowe Animal Shelter. Mary Foster Cox and Polly Lampshire judged the show.