March 19, 2009
Charlotte, NC – The 2009 Pedigree® Bark in the Park Dog Festival presented by Food Lion invites "dogs and the people they own" to join the fun in a new location this year—at Metrolina Expo, 7100 Statesville Road. The festival will be Saturday, April 25, 2009, 10am- 4pm. Now in its fifth year, Bark in the Park is Charlotte's premier dog festival, a signature event of Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation. Admission and parking are FREE.
Bark in the Park drew about 13,000 people last year, most with dogs. It threatened to become too large for Davie Park. To accommodate both its size and the safe arrival of dogs and people, Park and Recreation arranged the move this year to Metrolina Expo, near Exit 16 off I-77 at Sunset Road. This site has plenty of space and parking in the old fairgrounds. Admission and parking are FREE. 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 routine contests. Register for these events at the festival.
Enjoy exhibits, dog products, adoptable dogs, prize drawings and so many great dogs to see and greet! All dogs come on a leash, please. There will be a fenced-in, off-leash dog park on site. For more information, check the Bark in the Park page or call 311.
Don't forget Park and Rec's Top Dog Photo Contest. This year the entry period is March 1-March 23(received by 5pm). Registration will be online (preferred) or by mail. Entry fee: $12,Visa and MasterCard accepted online. Registration, rules and instructions available at the Top Dog Photo page or call 704 336-7853. Judges select three finalist photos for cleverness and originality. Finalists will be posted on the Park and Recreation website March 31 (5pm), and the public votes 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 receive a professional portrait by Deborah Triplett Studios, a year's supply of dog food, and will be grand marshals of the Pooch Parade at Bark in the Park.
This festival and photo contest promote Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation's five dog parks, popular places for dogs to run free and frolic in fenced meadows and woodlands. All dog parks are now open FREE to the public. Pooch passes are no longer required. All dogs must be vaccinated as required by law.
Park and Recreation seeks volunteer help for Bark in the Park. If interested, contact Lori Saylor at 704-336-5478 or lori.saylor@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov