Photo Flash: Jill Rappaport and More at Bay Street Theatre's TRAVELS WITH CHARLEY Dog Walk

Bay Street Theatre in honor of Steinbeck Weekend partnered up with Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons (ARF) to present the "Travels With Charley" Dog Walk this past Saturday, May 4. Jill Rappaport, TODAY show correspondent and award-winning animal advocate, served as celebrity host along with Barbara Slifka as Honorary Chair. Scroll down for photos from the event!

Dogs and their owners began the walk at Haven's Beach finishing at Bay Street Theatre, with a "Bagels and Bones" reception following after. A Grand Prize, a swag bag which included an ARF tote-bag and two tickets to one of Baystreet's Mainstage shows this season, was awarded to Lizzie Goldstein who raised $1000 for the event.

The Dog Walk, a 5k or walk-a-thon, hosted over thirty members of the dog loving Sag Harbor community. The event raised a grand total of $2,000 which all of the proceeds from this fundraiser benefit ARF and Bay Street Theatre.

"We wanted to do something a little different to honor Steinbeck Weekend in Sag Harbor," says Tracy Mitchell, Executive Director for Bay Street Theatre, "Our success with ARF was shared with everyone who attended the Dog Walk on such a spectacular spring morning. We thank Jill Rappaport, everyone from ARF and the Sag harbor community for making our first Dog Walk a success and look forward to next year."

"We had a great time and it seems we may have planted the seed for future dog walk events with Bay Street!" says Jennifer Rockford Director of Development of ARF. "In addition to having a great time and raising some funds, ARF adopted out one kitten and two dogs while the Mobile Adoption Van was at the event!"

Host Jill Rappaport says, "I can't think of a better way to spend a Hampton's day than walking my dogs, who at one time were all strays, for this wonderful event in May!"

In 1960, John Steinbeck set off from his home in Sag Harbor with his French poodle, Charley, to drive cross country. He would travel alone, stay at campgrounds and talk to the locals along the way. Steinbeck's book-length account of his journey, "Travels With Charley," became a best-seller.

Bay Street Theatre is a not-for-profit institution presenting new, classic and contemporary works with a commitment to challenging and entertaining our diverse community. This commitment extends to educational programs for all ages to foster the continued value of theatre as a vital art form for future generations. For more information about Bay Street Theatre, log on to www.baystreet.org. For more information about ARF, log on to www.arfhamptons.org.

Photos courtesy of Bay Street Theatre.

“Travels with Charley� Dog Walk

“Travels with Charley� Dog Walk

“Travels with Charley� Dog Walk