Peanut, 2014 World’s Ugliest Dog competition winner. (Peter Dasilva/EPA /LANDOV)

The annual “World’s Ugliest Dog” contest will be held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California today. Two dozen dogs will vie for the title this year, including Angus, Pork, Rue, Icky, Quasi Modo and Rascal Deux.

Some of the competitors have traveled from other states such as Idaho, Nevada, Florida and Arizona to participate. Local favorites will be in attendance as well. Several of the competitors are rescue dogs, from shelters or puppy mills, abusive homes or other difficult circumstances.

New at the competition this year, the pedigree and mutt categories will be consolidated with awards for both the Ugliest Dog and the Spirit Award, which will honor a dog and owner that have overcome obstacles and provide service to the community.

The ugliest dog’s owner will receive $1,500 and will appear with their dog on national TV.

Officials from the competition say the contest isn’t intended to make fun of the “ugly” dogs, but to have fun with the wonderful personalities of the contestants and show how beautiful the dogs really are.

Contestants will take the stage at 6 p.m. PST. The fair runs until Sunday. For more information or to vote for your favorite ugly dog, visit the fair’s website.

Source: WISH TV via KRON