Let Them Shine at the Sixth Annual Pets, People and Parks Event
DATE: Sunday, April 25, 1999 (rain or shine)
TIME: 11:00A.M. to 3:30P.M.
PLACE: Memorial Grove (South of the Parade Ground), Van Cortlandt Park. Broadway and W. 246th Street, The Bronx

Unidentified Flying Objects. Yankee Flyers dogs will amaze us with their aerial frisbee antics.

Pooches on Parade. A healthy one-mile dog walk around the Parade Ground to show off your star pet and get some exercise.

More Contests. Owner-Pet Look-Alike Contest; Newspaper Fetching

DETAILS: Promoting responsible pet ownership is the focus of this fun one-day event, held annually in Van Cortlandt Park, the third largest park in New York City. Through a variety of activities and contests, we will be honoring the important role pets play in our lives, and showing pet-owners that they are part of a caring community that includes their neighborhood park.

Stage and screen stars Matthew Broderick and Sarah Jessica Parker return as Honorary Co-Chairs for the sixth annual Pets, People & Parks event at Van Cortlandt Park. This year, we will be shining the spotlight on the family pet, so that we can Make Your Pet a Star! Soap Opera stars including Sandra Ferguson (Another World), Mary Dusay (All My Children), and Cassandra Creech (As the World Turns) will help orchestrate this year's canine antics. In addition to having a canine "screen test" from renowned dog trainer and event organizer Bashkim Dibra, pets may be part of an international documentary as filmmakers record pets on their way to stardom. Another activity that may lead to stardom -- the making of a videotape that will be submitted to "Stupid Pet Tricks" on The Late Show with David Letterman.

Thanks to the generous support of past participants, the Van Cortlandt Canine Court, the first public dog playground in the world, is being enjoyed by parkgoers and their pets. A dog agility sports team will demonstrate how to prepare your dog for this exciting, challenging sport.

Registrants may enter their pets in fun events such as pet-owner look alike and newspaper fetch contests, creating a paw print mural, and a doggy walk. Pets, People & Parks will also feature pet exhibitors, frisbee demonstrations, and Canine Good Citizen Testing administered by the Bronx County Kennel Club. As a prelude to National Pet Month in May, special attention will be devoted to animal organizations such as NY SAVE (Save Animals in Veterinary Emergenies), ASPCA, Bide-a-Wee, the Humane Society and the Greyhound Adoption Program, who support pet health and promote responsible pet ownership. Participants and their canine companions can relax and enjoy the city's largest Pooch Picnic—all participants are invited to pack a picnic lunch (people and dog food) and lounge on the picturesque grounds of historic Van Cortlandt Park. Food will also be available for sale at the event.

The registration fee is $15.00 for each adult with a dog, limited to 2 dogs per person. Animal lovers without dogs are also welcome! Free goodie bags will go to the first 300 registrants. Proceeds will benefit programs in Van Cortlandt Park. This year's sponsors include Pfizer, maker of Zyrtec, Hill's Science Diet, Blonde with Beagle, Les Pooches, Sherpa, Scooper Doggie, Fieldston Pets, Bronx County Kennel Club, City of New York Parks and Recreation Van Cortlandt & Pelham Bay Parks, and Friends of Van Cortlandt Park.

Contact: F R I E N D S OF VAN CORTLANDT PARK
One Bronx River Parkway, Bronx, NY 10462
Phone: (718) 601-1460
Fax: (718) 601-1574