Artists & Fleas to host ‘Cutest Pup in the Pool’ contest

In a shameless ploy to generate social media traffic, Artists & Fleas, the monthly outdoor artisan market next hitting downtown Los Angeles on Sept. 20-21, is mixing cute dogs, shopping and Instagram.

What is this, you say? Dogs with their own Facebook and Instagram accounts?

Following a successful “Cutest Pup in the Pool” contest over the July 4 weekend in Brooklyn, Artists & Fleas organizers decided to launch a similar event on the West Coast.

Here’s how it works: A group of contestants will be announced via social media in the days leading up to the event. Shoppers and pets can stop by any time throughout the weekend and cool off in the puppy pool. A winner will be crowned each afternoon, with doggy treats. During the two-day event, Polaroids will be taken of the dogs in the pool and then mounted on a poster board for all to see. A winner and runners-up will be awarded crowns, hats and more treats.

But it’s not just about the dogs. The next market will feature a DIY butterfly preservation workshop with taxidermist Divya Anatharman, a beer garden, lawn games and new vendors the Bearded Bowtie, We Move Vintage and Paradigm Design.

Artists & Fleas, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 20-21, 647 Mateo St., Los Angeles. www.artistsandfleas.com.

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