Kelly and Dan McLemore were simply trying to find a few furry friends for Mr. Pickles when they created beach party that has become a corgi rave.
Ten years ago, the couple put out a small social media solicit looking for other corgi families who wanted to hang out at Huntington Dog Beach for the afternoon. Mr. Pickles had just healed from surgery following a torn ligament and was ready to frolic in the sand and surf.
That first Corgi Beach Day brought out about 15 fellow corgi lovers. Then, the next year, about 100 showed up. Then 500, and so on.
Now, upward of a thousand corgis frolic at a typical Corgi Beach Day, with the festival held again Saturday, April 2, featuring 28 booths, food trucks, contests, entertainment and plenty of corgi cuddles.
Yoshii of Los Angeles shows of its beach attire at the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Corgis dressed as ZZ Top wait for judging during the costume contest at the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Jennifer Hendricks of Tustin holds Arlo in front of a backdrop at the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Victoria McAlister of Rancho Cucamonga does Corgi Yoga on the beach with her dog, Costello, as thousands brought their corgis to the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Charlie, right, owned by Melissa Tabayoyong of Huntington Beach, takes in the crowds at the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Bootsy stands with its owner Olivia Williams of North Hollywood at the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tynika McCain, left, of Pasadena holds Wautzen after it won the Cutest Cardigan contest at the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Tynika McCain, center, of Pasadena holds Wautzen after it won the Cutest Cardigan contest at the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Julie and Scott Francis of Banning, pose with their corgis, Loki, left, and Mala, at the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A corgi wears a Dodger jersey on the beach at the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Mr.Pickles, owned by Dan McLemore of Lakewood, wear his best beach attire as thousands brought their corgis to the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Thousands brought their corgis, as well as other dogs, to the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People try and catch a ball thrown into the crowd during one of the contests at the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Rey, owned by Tyler Upleger of Tucson, Arizona, sports his best beach attire as thousands brought their corgis to the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A large crowd watches the costume contest at the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Rey, owned by Tyler Upleger of Tucson, Arizona, sports his best beach attire as thousands brought their corgis to the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
People and their dogs walk along Pacific Coast Highway as they make their way to the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Rick Garcia of West Hollywood with his dogs following the costume contest at the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Thousands brought their corgis, as well as other dogs, to the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Oliver, owned by Kelsey Cole of Los Alamitos, poses on the green carpet after placing second in the costume contest at the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kyle James of Los Angeles with Cricket after they won first place in the costume contest at the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A corgi walks the green carpet during the costume contest at the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A variety of dog outfits were worn to the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Aokie, owned by Brene Resendiz of San Diego, takes a break in the sand at the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A corgi dressed as Boy George walks the green carpet during the costume contest at the annual Corgi Beach Day at Huntington Beach on Saturday, April 2, 2022. It was the 10th Anniversary for the family-friendly event. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
There’s something about this kind of pup that people love, Kelly McLemore, of Lakewood, said, describing corgis as having the personality of bigger dogs, just in compact bodies.
“They’re smart, they learn tricks quickly and they’re good family dogs,” she said. “And they have great smiles. I know that sounds funny, but they always look like they are smiling.”
Saturday was the first time since 2019 the beach bash was held, like so many other events, it came to a halt during the coronavirus pandemic’s earlier months.
Ahead of Saturday, McLemore said she was hearing from first-timers and people outside the region that they were planning a trip to the festival.
“It’s totally fun, the corgi people are great,” she said. “We have a great time and it’s great to see how much it has grown over the years.”
Mr. Pickles, who just turned 15, is a celebrity at the party. He moves a bit slower on the sand these days, but many fellow corgi owners who have gotten to know him stop to say hi and give him a loving pet.
This year’s gathering was themed “Totally ’80s,” with plenty of florescent colors and pups decked out in retro costumes. Contests ranged from a pie eating – using dog-friendly foods like pumpkin puree – to musical chairs. And there was a corgi kissing booth.
Corgi Beach Day has partnered since 2013 with a local corgi and corgi mix rescue, Queen’s Best Stumpy Dog Rescue, which has helped rescue more 100 dogs.
If you missed the fun, there are two more corgi events planned this year by the McLemores, who started So Cal Corgi Nation.
The Corgi Nationals on May 29 will race corgis on the track at Santa Anita Park and a fall Corgi Beach Day is planned on Oct. 29 in Huntington Beach. More information: socalcorgibeachday.com
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