On Saturday, Oct. 18, the Edgartown Yacht Club came ashore and held a dog show. This went well, though it was entirely unnautical.

There were 17 dogs all let loose into the greensward at the Edgartown Yacht Club Tennis Club. They played, they sniffed, they chased balls and Frisbees, and there was not a single angry snarl. It was neutral territory, so no one had to pretend to be alpha dog.

There was a prize for the dog most likely to be elected president, the dog with the longest ears, the dog most likely to bite the mailman, and a certain amount of craziness connected with the whole shebang.

Hot chili was served, just in case it had been a cold day, which it wasn’t, and apples, cider and cookies made lunch right for an October day.

All 17 dogs won prizes and red, white and blue Edgartown Yacht Club ribbons for their collars, but most owner-winners put the ribbons on themselves instead of the dogs.

The ribbons were concocted by and ordered by Sherri Mattison, who is into dog shows and was therefore able to run the show and dole out the prizes, which were awarded on a tambola table.

Margaret R. Steele, who has been a caterer, made the chili, which had both beer and other unspecified, unexpected goodies in it, and Trudy Carter kept the culinary department functioning.

About 30 people turned out for the event — nearly two for each dog, with some who did not have dogs but wanted to know what was happening.

There were lots of interesting breeds, with a huge, white, curly dog that was a combination of a golden retriever and a poodle attracting the most attention. A skinny little daschund didn’t do badly either. The names of the winners somehow made it to Cape Cod and so are not available at the moment.

The reason for the show was to give the members something more to do as the sailing season slowed. Next the members will be having an art show of paintings and other works created by the members (be they good or be they bad). It promises to be fun.