Fancy Pet Salon — Lynchburg, VA

Dog Grooming Events
& Shows 2026

Always Learning, Always Loving: The Best for Your Lynchburg Pup

At Fancy Pet Salon, we believe that true care means staying ahead. We’re deeply rooted in the Lynchburg community, but our eyes are always on the wider world of dog grooming—ensuring your beloved companion receives the most informed, gentle, and stylish care available right here in Virginia.

Virginia Dog Events — April 2026

From grooming expos to community festivals, Virginia’s dog scene is thriving this spring. We follow these events closely so the latest care standards always find their way back to your pup.

MAR 28 –29

Virginia Groom Show & Competition

Manassas, VA

Hosted at the Wyndham Garden Manassas, this event is a fantastic showcase of competitive grooming, drawing top talent from across the state. We attend to witness the incredible skill and artistry on display, bringing back inspiration and refined techniques to apply to our Lynchburg clients, ensuring your dog looks their absolute best.

Grooming Expo
APR 5

Dogma Grooming & Pet Needs Events

Richmond, VA

Located in Richmond’s charming Carytown neighborhood, Dogma hosts wonderful adoption events in partnership with the FURS rescue group. For Lynchburg dog lovers considering expanding their family, these events offer a chance to meet deserving pups and support a fantastic cause dedicated to finding forever homes.

Adoption Event
APR 9

Yappy Hour

Fredericksburg, VA

The Fredericksburg Dog Park becomes a hub of canine camaraderie during Yappy Hour, a casual social event for dogs and their people. It’s a relaxed way for Lynchburg residents to meet fellow dog owners, allow their pups to socialize, and enjoy a pleasant afternoon outdoors.

Community
APR 11

Pets & People Community Wellness

Alexandria, VA

This vital event in Alexandria offers free pet vaccinations and valuable wellness resources to the community. For Lynchburg pet owners, it’s a reminder of the importance of preventative care and highlights the availability of accessible health services for our beloved pets.

Wellness
APR 12

Del Ray Dog Fest

Alexandria, VA

The GWMS Parking Lot transforms into a vibrant celebration for dogs, featuring everything from a playful dog fashion show to an exciting luring course and a dedicated rescue row. It’s a joyful day out for Lynchburg families and their canine companions, perfect for enjoying the festive atmosphere and perhaps even finding a new furry friend.

Community
APR 12

FETCH Fest

Richmond, VA

Hardywood Park Craft Brewery in Richmond opens its doors for FETCH Fest, a lively pet-friendly festival featuring trainers, vets, and a variety of pet vendors. For those of us in the Lynchburg area, it’s a great opportunity to connect with different pet resources, learn new tips, and simply enjoy a fun day celebrating our dogs.

Community
APR 16 –19

BeachFest Groom Expo

Virginia Beach, VA

This exciting oceanfront expo brings together grooming professionals from all over to compete and learn. For Lynchburg pet parents, it’s fascinating to see the cutting edge of grooming—from intricate styling competitions to seminars on pet CPR and groomer fitness—all of which raise the bar for the care your pup receives.

Grooming Expo
APR 16 –19

FastCat

Warrenton, VA

Hosted by the Warrenton Kennel Club, FastCat is a thrilling high-speed straight-line racing event open to all breeds. If your Lynchburg dog has energy to spare and loves to run, this is a fantastic and unique way to channel their natural instincts and enjoy a day of exciting competition.

Racing
APR 25

Stafford Dog Club Adoption Event

Stafford, VA

This event brings together the Old Dominion Humane Society with vendors and K9 demonstrations, making for an engaging community gathering. Lynchburg dog enthusiasts can discover new pet products, watch impressive K9 skills, and—most importantly—connect with wonderful rescue dogs looking for their perfect family.

Adoption Event
APR 26

Tails & Trails

Norfolk, VA

The Virginia Zoo hosts a special Tails & Trails event, featuring a scenic trail walk and various dog-friendly activities within the zoo grounds. This offers Lynchburg dog lovers a wonderful opportunity for a unique outing, combining a pleasant walk with the special experience of visiting the zoo with your canine companion.

Community

2026 US Grooming Shows

We follow major shows across the country because what debuts on these stages shapes the best practices we bring back to Lynchburg. Stars (★) mark the industry’s premier flagship events.

Date Event Location
March
Mar 22 South Florida Grooming Show West Palm Beach, FL
Mar 28–29 Pup Palooza Buffalo Buffalo, NY
April
Apr 16–19 Northwest Grooming Show Tacoma, WA ★
Apr 16–19 GroomFest VA Virginia Beach, VA
Apr 20 Just Groom a Poodle Gray Summit, MO
Apr 24–26 St. Louis Groom Fest Wentzville, MO ★
May
May 12 BFCA National Specialty Show St. Louis, MO
May 14–17 Intergroom Secaucus, NJ
May 28–31 RW GroomX Owensboro, KY ★
June
Jun 5–8 US Pet Pro Classic Las Colinas, TX ★
Jun 18–21 PetQuest Wilmington, OH ★
July
Jul 16–19 Groom Texas Houston, TX ★
Jul 16–19 Rocky Mountain Groom Expo Colorado Springs, CO
Jul 16–19 Heart of America Kansas City, MO
August
Aug 13–16 All American Grooming Show Schaumburg, IL ★
September
Sep 10–13 Groom Expo Hershey, PA ★
Sep 25–28 New England Grooming Show Springfield, MA ★
October — November
Oct 1–4 Fun in the Sun Grooming Show Orlando, FL ★
Oct 1–4 Teton Grooming Expo Salt Lake City, UT ★
Oct 29–Nov 1 The Wild West Groom Fest Mesa, AZ

The Grooming World Goes Global

Beyond our wonderful state, we keep a close watch on the global stage of dog grooming. Major shows across the world are where the industry’s best gather, showcasing groundbreaking techniques and innovative products that ultimately shape care standards everywhere.

Date Event Location
March
Mar 28–29 Master Show Bologna, Italy
April
Apr 3–5 Tru North Grooming Show Toronto, ON, Canada
May
May 8–10 GROOMASTERS Prague, Czech Republic
May 28–31 West Coast Groom Fest Chilliwack, BC, Canada
June
Jun 18–21 Ottawa Ontario Grooming Show Ottawa, ON, Canada
Jun 27–28 Petguru Grooming Show Cluj-Napoca, Romania
July
Jul 24–26 Mastergroom Canada Red Deer, AB, Canada
September
Sep 17–19 Groomania Kortrijk, Belgium
November
Nov 22–23 Artero Grooming Slam Barcelona, Spain

What’s Trending in Dog Grooming

The conversations happening at shows and expos this year directly shape how we care for your pup. Here’s what the grooming world is focused on in 2026.

The Power of Education

At events like BeachFest 2026, the theme of “Education First” really resonates with us. Workshops on advanced styling for specific breeds, bather certification programs, and in-depth seminars from Certified Master Groomers ensure that every technique we use and every service we offer at Fancy Pet Salon is backed by the most current and highest standards of professional knowledge.

Groomer Wellness: Caring for the Caregivers

A significant trend emerging across expos is the focus on groomer wellness, with many events now featuring sessions on “protecting your body.” We understand that healthy, happy groomers provide the best care for your pets. This ensures we can consistently deliver the gentle, attentive, high-quality grooming your dog deserves for years to come.

Embracing Creative Expression

The grooming world is seeing an exciting surge in creativity, as highlighted by “The Grooming Experiment” featured in the April 2026 issue of Groomer to Groomer magazine. Creative grooming competition entries open April 13—it inspires us to think innovatively about styling while always keeping your pet’s comfort and safety as our top priority.

Ready for Your Pup’s Best Groom?

Staying connected to the broader world of dog grooming isn’t just a passion for us—it’s how we ensure that every wagging tail that walks through our door in Lynchburg receives the most up-to-date, professional, and loving care possible. We invite you to experience the Fancy Pet Salon difference, where a world of informed care awaits your dog.

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