PRESS RELEASE: March 2 Is for the Dogs!
Media Contact: Regina Hardter
(703) 746-5662
communications@alexandriaanimals.org
MARCH 2 IS FOR THE DOGS
AWLA’s and Ballyshaners’ Fun Dog Show to Precede St. Patrick’s Day Parade
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — (Feb. 1, 2019) — The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA) and the Ballyshaners will once again make King Street the most festive place to be on Saturday, March 2, with the annual Fun Dog Show and St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Beginning at 11 a.m., the Fun Dog Show brings together Alexandria’s most festive animals to vie for the titles of “Most St. Paddy’s Spirit,” “Best Human/Canine Look-Alike” and “Most Creative Costume,” which will be determined by audience applause.
The Fun Dog Show precedes the Ballyshaners’ St. Patrick’s Day Parade, an annual event that marches dozens of celebratory groups down King Street and into the heart of Old Town. The AWLA will kick off the parade, and all friends, followers and former adopters are welcome to join the group to march, without or without their canine companions. March participants will meet at the intersection of King St. and Pitt St. at 12:00 p.m. to kick off the parade!
“The Fun Dog Show is our first major event of the year,” said AWLA’s Executive Director Megan Webb. “The weather can sometimes be unpredictable, but that doesn’t stop our canine contestants from strutting their St. Paddy’s spirit for all of Alexandria to see.”
“The Ballyshaners are proud to annually kick off the St. Patrick’s Parade with AWLA’s Fun Dog Show,” said a spokesperson for the Ballyshaners (which means “Old Towners” in Gaelic, the Irish language).
Registration is $30 per entrant per category, and pet parents may register their pet for any or all of the three event categories. Registration is open now at AlexandriaAnimals.org/DogShow2019 and will also be available on-site on Mar. 2 as long as registration spots are still available. For the safety of all attendees, both human and canine, the AWLA requires that all dogs must be on non-extendable leashes that are six feet or shorter. Dogs will not be allowed on Market Square until 10:30, once the Old Town Farmers’ Market has ended. While the AWLA loves all animals, the Fun Dog Show is only appropriate for dogs who are comfortable with crowds and other dogs.
The Fun Dog Show will also feature tents and information from AWLA sponsors, including ALX Community, Becky’s Pet Care Inc., Capital One, Caring Hands Animal Hospital, Dirty Paw Photography, Doggywalker.com, Dogtopia, Frolick Dogs, the VCA Animal Hospitals of both Alexandria and Old Town, Whole Dogz and the Zebra. To learn more about becoming an event sponsor, please contact Stella Hanly at sponsorship@alexandriaanimals.org.
For more information about the St. Patrick’s Day Parade, visit ballyshaners.org.
The Fun Dog Show will be held rain or shine. If you would like high-resolution promotional photos for the Fun Dog Show, please contact the AWLA at connect@alexandriaanimals.org. All photos courtesy of Shelley Castle Photography.
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About the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria is a local 501(c)(3) organization. Operating the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, which is Alexandria’s only open-access animal shelter, the AWLA touches the lives of more than 6,000 animals every year, including strays, lost pets, local wildlife, rescued animals and animals surrendered by their owners. The AWLA is committed to addressing animal homelessness, promoting animal welfare and serving as an educational resource for the community. More information can be found at AlexandriaAnimals.org.