Big Dog Show Brings 20 Sculptures to Haverhill
The Whittier Birthplace's fifth annual fundraiser placed decorated dog sculptures on Bradford Common for public viewing.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Cultural
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Haverhill's Big Dog Show placed 20 decorated dog sculptures from Dale Rogers' "American Dogs" collection on the Bradford Common on Halloween. The Whittier Birthplace organized the fifth annual event as its largest yearly fundraiser.
Why it matters
The event raises money for the Whittier Birthplace, a nonprofit established in 1893, while involving local schools, youth groups and community organizations in decorating the sculptures. It also brought visitors to the common on the final day of the regular Haverhill Farmers Market season.
The fifth annual Big Dog Show displayed 20 large dog sculptures on the Bradford Common, marking the event's fifth year as the Whittier Birthplace's largest annual fundraiser. The total funds raised and visitor count were not disclosed.
The players
Whittier Birthplace
A Haverhill nonprofit established in 1893 that organizes the Big Dog Show as its largest annual fundraiser.
Pentucket Bank
A bank that served as the lead sponsor of the Big Dog Show.
Guiding Eyes for the Blind
A New York-based organization that trains guide dogs and had its own decorated sculpture at the event.
The details
Local sponsors reserved sculptures, which were matched with schools, youth groups and community organizations that decorated them before the exhibition. Visitors viewed the sculptures, watched a pet costume parade and shopped from regional vendors, with Pentucket Bank serving as lead sponsor and Guiding Eyes for the Blind also featuring its own decorated sculpture.
Timeline
Whittier Birthplace nonprofit established in 1893.
Big Dog Show held on Halloween, November 1, 2026, on the final day of the Haverhill Farmers Market season.
Cultural Thread
The fifth annual Big Dog Show continues the Whittier Birthplace's tradition of using public art exhibitions as its primary annual fundraiser, following the same model of community-decorated sculptures used in prior years. The event extends that series with a Halloween date and a tie-in to the Haverhill Farmers Market season.
The sculptures were displayed on the Bradford Common and visitors could view them at the event, which also featured a pet costume parade and vendor shopping. The stub does not indicate whether the sculptures remain on display after the event.
The takeaway
Local fundraisers that combine public art with community participation can draw residents into neighborhood spaces while supporting a long-running nonprofit. Residents interested in similar events can check local nonprofit calendars for autumn exhibitions.
Further reading
Explore more Cultural coverage in Haverhill for context on local arts and community events.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CNHI.
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