British Homing World show: Pigeons, doves and their fanciers

Over the weekend people gathered in Britain's Blackpool to celebrate the pigeon racing community.

A judge in action as he scores a pigeon at the British Homing World show in Blackpool, Britain, Jan. 14, 2022.

Pigeon fanciers from around the country come to this annual event, attracting more than 15,000 visitors each year.

A man stands by a trade stand at the British Homing World show in Blackpool, Britain, Jan. 14, 2022.

The show celebrates its 50th anniversary with COVID-19 restrictions in force but not stemming the enthusiasm of the visitors.

Pigeon fanciers check on their pigeons before judging begins in Blackpool, Britain, Jan. 14, 2022.

The show is considered the ‘Crufts of the pigeon world’ while picking the top racers of the feathered friends.

A pigeon sits in its coop, at the British Homing World show in Blackpool, Britain, Jan. 14, 2022.

The show was canceled last year due to COVID-19, like so many other events.

British Homing World workers polish their trophies in Blackpool, Britain, Jan. 14, 2022.

A pigeon fancier prepares his pigeon to be shown at the British Homing World competition, Jan. 14, 2022.

A pigeon fancier prepares his pigeon to be shown at the British Homing World competition in Britain, Jan. 14, 2022.

A pigeon fancier prepares his pigeon to be shown at the British Homing World competition, Jan. 14, 2022.

A pigeon fancier prepares his pigeon to be shown at the British Homing World competition in Blackpool, Britain, Jan. 14, 2022.

A pigeon fancier prepares his pigeon to be shown at the British Homing World competition in Blackpool, Jan. 14, 2022.

A judge in action as he scores a pigeon at the British Homing World show in Blackpool, Britain, Jan. 14, 2022.

A judge in action as he scores a pigeon at the British Homing World Show in Blackpool, Britain, Jan. 14, 2022.

Pigeon fanciers transport their pigeons to the British Homing World Show in Blackpool, Britain, Jan. 14, 2022.

A pigeon waits in its cage during the 50th anniversary edition of the annual British Homing World 'Show of the Year' held in the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, north west England, Jan. 14, 2022.

A pigeon fancier transports his pigeons to the British Homing World Show in Blackpool, Britain, Jan. 14, 2022.

A judge assesses a pigeon during the process of selecting the Best In Show pigeon during the 50th anniversary edition of the annual British Homing World 'Show of the Year' held in the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, Jan. 14, 2022.

A caged Show Racer pigeon is pictured as judges work to select the Best In Show pigeon during the 50th anniversary edition of the annual British Homing World 'Show of the Year' held in the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, north west England, Jan. 14, 2022.

Judges in action as they scores pigeons at the British Homing World show in Blackpool, Britain, Jan. 14, 2022.

A judge in action as he scores a pigeon at the British Homing World Show in Blackpool, Jan. 14, 2022.

A caged Show Racer pigeon is pictured as judges work to select the Best In Show pigeon during the 50th-anniversary edition of the annual British Homing World 'Show of the Year' held in the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, Jan. 14, 2022.

Judges receive their instructions during the process of selecting the Best In Show pigeon during the 50th anniversary edition of the annual British Homing World 'Show of the Year' held in the Winter Gardens in Blackpool, north west England, Jan. 14, 2022.

A view of the Winter Gardens which is the home of the Homing World show in Blackpool, Britain, Jan. 14, 2022.

Judges in action as they score pigeons at the British Homing World show in Blackpool, Jan. 14, 2022.

A judge in action as he scores a pigeon at the British Homing World show in Blackpool, Britain, Jan. 14, 2022.