February 27, 2009

Charlotte, NC—  It’s time to sign-up for this year’s Top Dog Photo Contest, part of the 2009 Pedigree® Bark in the Park Dog Festival presented by Food Lion on April 25, 2009. The festival has a modified name and a new location this year—at Metrolina Expo, 7100 Statesville Road (site of the old fairgrounds). This festival is a signature event of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department to promote off-leash dog parks. Here’s the poop:

PARK AND REC’S TOP DOG PHOTO CONTEST: Dog owners entered 93 pet photos last year, and the public cast more than 58,000 votes. The winner was Cocoa Latte, an American Eskimo breed female. This year the entry period runs March 1(8am) - March 23(received by 5pm). Registration will be mostly online (preferred) or by mail. Entry fee is $12 with Visa and Mastercard accepted online. Registration, rules and entry instructions are available at www.parkandrec.com or call 704 336-7853. Judges will select three finalist photos for cleverness and originality. Finalists will be posted on the Park and Recreation website March 31 (5pm), and the public can vote online April 1(8am) - April 19(5pm) for Top Dog. The winner will be announced April 20 on the website at 12Noon. The Top Dog and owner will receive a professional portrait by Deborah Triplett Studios, a year’s supply of dog food and be grand marshal of the Pooch Parade at Bark in the Park.

2009 PEDIGREE® BARK IN PARK FESTIVAL PRESENTED BY FOOD  LION,  APRIL 25, 10am-4pm:  Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation invites dogs and people they own to join the fun again this year, now at a new location--Metrolina Expo, 7100 Statesville Road (off exit 16 of I-77 at Sunset Road). Bark in the Park drew an estimated 13,000 people last year, most with dogs. It threatened to become too large even for Davie Park, which is why the festival has been moved. The new site has plenty of space and parking in the old fairgrounds. Admission and parking are both FREE. So plan now to let your dog bring you!  Join the Pooch Parade and contests like Pet/Owner Look-a-Like, Best Costume, Best Bark, Largest Dog, Smallest Dog, and Best Trick. New competitions this year include Frisbee catching and freestyle movement contests. Registration for these events will be at the festival. Enjoy exhibits, dog products, adoptable dogs, prize drawings and more. Great dogs to see and greet.  All dogs must enter on a leash, please. There will be a fenced-in, off-leash dog park on site. For details, check www.parkandrec.com or call 311

Park and Recreation seeks volunteers to help with Bark in the Park. To volunteer contact Lori Saylor at 704 336-5478 or lori.saylor@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov.