Popular North Fork Dog Dock Diving Event Relocates To Greenport

GREENPORT, NY — A popular and splashingly fun event on the North Fork is relocating to a new space this year: The 9th Annual North Fork Dog Dock Diving Weekend will take place at the Greenport Polo Grounds on Moores Lane on June 7 and June 8, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The event, first organized on the North Fork in 2017 and previously held at the Greenport Harbor Brewing Company in Peconic, has long brought crowds from across Long Island and beyond to the North Fork to watch the dogs diving into pools. Scores cheer as the pooches splash in the sunshine during the high-energy competitions.

Organizer Kim Loper, owner of Harbor Pet in Greenport, formally proposed relocating the event to the Polo Grounds earlier this year. The Village of Greenport, she said, "unanimously approved" the proposal.

The event, Loper said, "highlights Greenport’s historic connection to the sea, making it a fitting backdrop for a celebration of canine athleticism and coastal tradition."

A portion of proceeds from this year's event will support the Greenport Skate Park Revitalization Project, helping the nonprofit Greenport Skate Park Inc. complete its final fundraising phase. Loper, who also serves on the board of the organization, emphasized the event’s expanded mission to benefit local youth and the broader Greenport community.

Additionally, the Greenport Fire Department will serve as the exclusive food vendor throughout the weekend, with a portion of sales benefiting their essential community services.

Event highlights include competitive dock diving events featuring canine athletes; vendor booths featuring pet products and local goods; limited-edition swag bags for early attendees; and activities and entertainment for the whole family.

Speaking with Patch, Loper said: "Did you even know Greenport had the capacity for an event like this, in a space like this? That’s part of the magic."

Of the event, she said: "It’s about celebrating community, supporting youth programs, and seeing what’s possible when local businesses, the Village of Greenport, and the Business Improvement District work together. This event is a show of strength —for collaboration, for dogs, for fun."

And, she added: "It's about our best friends — our dogs — with beer and food as a bonus. This is a Life is Gruff event. It’s a Harbor Pet event. It’s a Dock Dogs event. We’re proud to host it with our whole community in mind."

Loper is excited to embrace the new vision for the event. "We’re moving in the right direction, alongside good friends and neighbors. Growth doesn’t always mean bigger crowds — it means deeper partnerships. We collaborate, we support, we build stronger relationships and communities. Hosting this together just makes sense."

The event has always held deep meaning for Loper, owner of Harbor Pet, a pet supply and grooming shop, and Life is Gruff, a handmade dog treat company.

"We bake our treats using spent grain from local brewers like Long Island Farm Brewery and Übergeek Brewing. That’s Long Island through and through." And, she said: "This event has been rewarding every single year since we first started Dock Diving in Greenport back in 2016 — and since I opened my shop in 2014. It’s always been about you, your pet, and the joy you share together. That’s what fills my cup."

Reflecting on special and notable memories from years' past, Loper said during the first year, Sarah Phillips of First and South Restaurant — one of this year’s "Newfoundland Sponsors" —attended with Chad the poodle. "And if you know, you know. Because of Chad’s extreme intelligence, he refused to jump off the dock. So Sarah gave him a gentle push. The whole crowd gasped. Chad still didn’t go after the stick. It was one of those perfect, hilarious moments that you remember year after year."

Loper said choosing the skate park was a decision born of love for community. "The skate park needs support, the grounds are ready, and the event was never canceled — just relocated. Moores Lane is already home to so many beloved Greenport traditions: the Fourth of July carnival and fireworks, Sound & Skate Festival, fire department demos, the Greenport Express miniature railroad, three baseball fields, and National Go Skate Day. This is a community space — let’s use it together."

Rena Wilhelm, co-chair of Dock Dogs Greenport and president of the Greenport Skate Park board, spoke to Patch about how she felt, learning that the skate park would benefit from a portion of the proceeds from the event.

"Ecstatic!" she said. "We’re so close to breaking ground, and this event could be the final push we need. It’s not just about the funding — it’s about rebuilding and reinvigorating a part of Greenport Village that means so much to so many. Plus, what an iconic and joyful event to bring to Moores Lane!"

Wilhelm, owner of The Weathered Barn in Greenport, found personal meaning in the event's move to a new space. "It’s a big deal. My business has always kept me in the heart of the village, so I’ve never been able to attend before. This year, being part of it is a real treat — woof woof! And here’s the
serendipity: I recently started painting dog portraits for friends and community members. I don’t even have a dog. But I love these relationships — between pets and their humans — and what they represent in our community."

The same could be said for the love of young people that sparked her fierce mission to reinvigorate the skate park, Wilhelm said. "I don’t have kids, either, but I’ve started taking skate lessons. That’s the vibe: just jump in. The water’s fine. Let’s go!"

Wilhelm also gave an update regarding the skate park in Greenport. "First off, we’re thrilled that this year’s Dock Dogs event is happening at the skate park. That alone is a huge step forward. And we’re nearing completion of our capital raise for Phase 1 of the full restoration. This event is helping get us over the top."

Another exciting update, Wilhelm said, is that Loper has officially joined the skate park board. "She doesn’t skate or have kids either, but she’s been serving this community through the BID for a decade," Wilhelm said. "That’s the kind of heart and leadership we’re building with."

Looking ahead for the skate park's plans, Wilhelm said: "Breaking ground, making progress, and watching real growth take shape. After years of hustle, we’re finally going to see tangible results —and celebrate them." She added that this year, her hope is "that the renovation stays on time and on budget — and that we get as many new boards and riders on that ramp as possible. I want people from across Long Island, New England, and especially our local kids to know: this park is here, it’s staying — and it’s going to be better than ever."

Wilhelm said she's also working on some fun side projects for dog lovers, such as creating a new candle scent called "Wet Dog" and maybe one called "New Puppy." "Or my favorite, 'The Water’s Fine,'" she said. "Because that’s exactly how we want your dog to smell after they’ve had the best day ever."

The Dog Dock Diving Event, Wilhelm said, symbolizes the same kind of community partnership and dedication needed to see the skate park blossom. "It’s a true cross-section of Greenport: the fire department, village administration, the BID, local businesses, residents, families, and their pets — all working together. It’s bigger than business. It’s about shared space, shared passion, and shared purpose. At the end of the day, we’re all under one umbrella: Greenport Village."

Advance tickets for the Dog Dock Diving event are available for $20; tickets purchased at the door will be $25. Tickets can be purchased online here.