14th Annual Dog Run Halloween Parade October 29, 2004

ANNOUNCING:
This year's 14th Annual Tompkins Square Dog Run Halloween Parade will be the largest Halloween event for dogs in the city offering over $4,000 in prizes.

TIME & LOCATION:
Tompkins Square Park Dog Run (known as FIRST RUN)
Saturday, October 30, 2004 at Noon
(Raind date will be the next day)

DIRECTIONS:
Tompkins Square Park
New York City, New York 10009
Enter the Park on Avenue A or Avenue B at 9Th Street. Walk along the 9th street path until you reach the dog run next to the flag pole.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
THE EAST VILLAGE - "Friends of First Run" & "Scout Dog Boutique & Pawtisserie" present this year's "14th Annual Dog Run Halloween Parade" in Tompkins Square park.

For the 14th consecutive year, dogs from all over the city will show off their bark-worthy costumes to a delighted crowd at the city's olderst & largest Dog Run Halloween Parade. Last years parade attracted a crowd of over 400 dogs & spectators. This year's parade promises to be even bigger with dogs competiting for over $4,000 in prizes for such titles as:
-- "Best in Show?
-- "Best Costume - Large Breed"
-- "Best Costume - Small Breed"
-- "Best Dog Team Costume,"
-- "Best Owner & Dog Combo"
-- "Best Dog with Kid"

Prizes will be awarded for the winners and runners up in each category. The grand prize for "Best in Show" is a catered $500 wine tasting (and treat tasting) party for you and your dog?s friends. Other winning prizes include $150 gift certificates donated by area pet stores and a year's supply of dog food donated by "Nutro." Runner ups in each of the categories receive a day of swimming and pampering ?The Dog Run Swimming & Training? center in Chelsea.

A fundraising raffle at the parade will also kick off a daunting donation drive to help the community raise $65,000 to renovate the city's oldest dog run. At the conclusion of this year's parade, MARTINI (a Blue Mountain View Cur Dog who performs a wide array of tricks) will select 2 winning raffle tickets out of a pail for:
-- A weekend getaway for 2 with your dog at "River Run Bed & Breakfast" in the Catskills
-- A weekend getaway for 2 at "Two Dog Lodge" in Stowe, Vemont.

In addition, FREE Gift Bags will be handed out to the first 100 dogs to register for the officia competition.

Last year?s "Best in Show" winner took a page from the Harry Potter books and appeared along with her 3-headed dog on the official Harry Potter website. Other press photos by Getty news photographer Mario Tama were featured in "National Geographic for Kids" and in newspapers as far away as California, Australia and Japan." This is truly a one-of-a-kind event!

WEBSITE:
For More information and a complete list of prizes, log on to FIRST RUN'S official website at:
http://www.dogster.org

ABOUT OUR SPONSORS:
FRIENDS OF FIRST RUN is an official 501(c)(3) charitable organization promoting responsible pet ownership and dedicated to the maintenance of the Tompkins Square Dog Run

SCOUT Dog Boutique & Pawtesserie
627 East 6th Street
New York City, NY 10009

Media Contact:
Garrett Rosso: (212) 522-2769
Gunnar Hellekson: (212) 655-5735