Woofstock Announces New Events & Schedule June 11-12

Now in its ninth year, Woofstock, North America's largest outdoor festival for dogs and their two-footed companions, takes place the weekend of June 11 & 12 throughout the boulevards and streets of Toronto's historic St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood. Front Street will be closed to traffic from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday for the party. Berczy Park will once again be stage centre with its roster of fun contests and canine fashion shows.

What's New at Woofstock this Year:

o Your Dog is a Star!: Photo ops with life-sized cut outs of the hottest celebrities! For a $3 donation, participants can snap a photo of their doggies posing with cutouts of the hottest stars including Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Prince William and Kate, Gene Simmons and more! Aspiring "pup-arazzi" can then post their pictures to Eurocan Pet Products' Facebook page for a chance to win a year's supply of Bullwrinkles natural chew treats. 50% of proceeds go to K9 Rescue Me and Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind and participants get a free Bullwrinkle with each donation.

o McCann Rookie Agility Course: Dog owners get a chance to run their dogs over and through a specially designed obstacle track.

o Park Your Paws Patio: Parched pooches can enjoy a free treat and break from the sun as their peeps sip a beverage at this new dog-friendly patio at The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.

Last year, over 250,000 dog lovers and approximately 100,000 prized pooches from across North America descended upon the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood to shop 'till they dropped and take part in the fun that is Woofstock. This unique festival is the highlight of the year for both dogs and their "peeps". This year's turnout promises to be even bigger, with over 200 innovative specialty vendors offering the latest trends in doggie fashion and accessories, from flashy to luxe, and the newest and hottest specialty foods, services and accoutrements for posh pooches.

Contest Location:

The Main Stage will be in shady Berczy Park framed by Front and Wellington at Scott Street. A bonus: the huge fountain in which dogs of all sized love to play.

Registration for the contests (prizes valued at up to $1,100) takes place the day of each event from 10am to noon at the south side of the stage in Berczy Park.
June 11 & 12 Woofstock Event Schedule

o 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. Your Dog is a Star! Celeb Photo Op - Church St., north of Front St.
Photo ops with life-sized cut outs of the hottest celebrities! Presented by Barnsdale Farms to benefit K9 Rescue Me and Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind, for a $3 donation participants can snap a photo of their doggies posing with cutouts of the hottest stars including Justin Bieber, Lady Gaga, Prince William and Kate, Gene Simmons and more! Aspiring "pup-arazzi" can then post their pictures to Eurocan Pet Products' Facebook page for a chance to win a year's supply of Bullwrinkles natural chew treats. Participants also receive a free Bullwrinkle with each donation.

o 10:30 a.m. Purina Pro Plan Dog Stars - Church St., south of Front St.
Specially trained dogs will leap through hoops, race through tunnels, jump over hurdles (all without knocking over obstacles) and test their balance on teeter-totters.

o 11:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Park Your Paws Patio - Sony Centre for the Performing Arts, 1 Front St. E.
An outdoor patio for thirsty dogs and their peeps! Parched pooches can enjoy a free treat and break from the sun as their owners sip a beverage at this dog-friendly patio at The Sony Centre for the Performing Arts.

o 11:30 a.m. Purina Pro Plan Dog Stars - Church St., south of Front St.

o Noon - 4:00 p.m. McCann Rookie Agility Course -Church St., south of Front St.
Dog owners will get a chance to run their dogs over and through a specially designed obstacle track.

o 12:05 p.m. Woofstock Fashion Show - Berczy Park Main Stage
Shih Tzu's in silk. Chi-chi Chihuahuas. Dachshunds in denim. Fashion forward pooches of all sizes and pedigree put on the dog, showcasing the ultimate in canine couture. Strutting the "dog walk," the lively four-footEd Mannequins will sport selections from the latest doggie fashion lines, all available at Woofstock.

o 12:30 p.m. Stupid Dog Trick Contest - Berczy Park Main Stage
Who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks? This contest features dogs who exhibit an unusual talent or ability - the zanier the better. No time to paws. This is every quirky dog's moment to shine, to put their best foot, er paw, forward and win the recognition they deserve.

o 1:00 p.m. Ms. & Mr. Canine Canada - Berczy Park Main Stage
Some dogs exude canine charisma, drawing remarks about how good-looking they are wherever they go. Those limelight hogs (let's make that "dogs"), can compete for the crown in the Ms. and Mr. Canine Canada Pageant.

o 2:00 p.m. Best Costume Contest - Berczy Park Main Stage
Dachshunds "dressed" like hot dogs. Ballerina Borzois. Chihuahuas decked out as frogs. This is the chance for dogs to dress to the canines and channel their alter egos.

o 4:30 p.m. Purina Pro Plan Dog Stars - Church St., south of Front St.

o 5:30 p.m. Purina Pro Plan Dog Stars - Church St., south of Front St.

Saturday June 12 Only:

o 2:30 p.m. "Paws to Remember" Memorial Service - Berczy Park Main Stage
A time to "Paws to Remember" cherished pets that have passed on. This special memorial service celebrates the love and companionship shared by dogs and their human families. Sponsored by The Simple Alternative Funeral Centres and Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries.

Sunday June 13 Only:

o 11:00 a.m. Rescue Me Walk-A-Thon - Starting at Berczy Park, Scott Street entrance.
The K9 Rescue Me Walk-A-Thon supports canine rescue across Ontario. It's one more activity at Woofstock in which both dogs and their owners can participate. K9 Rescue Me is a non-profit organization consisting of 30 rescue groups who work together to raise awareness and funds, provide health care and find homes for unwanted dogs. The goal of the walk-a-thon is to raise $150,000 for dogs in need.

WOOFSTOCK® 2011
Saturday, June 11 and Sunday and June 12
10am to 6pm throughout The Historic St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood (Front. and Church Streets)
ADMISSION IS FREE

For further information, visit http://www.woofstock.ca/
Woofstock Info Line: 416.234.WOOF (416.234.9663)
Sponsored by Barnsdale Farms, Citytv and the Toronto Star

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