for immediate release

Popular Dog Parade Moves from Winter to Fall

Spooky Pooch Parade, Chicago Botanic Garden

Media Only:
Julie McCaffrey
(847) 835-8213, direct
jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org

GLENCOE, Ill. (August 31, 2009)—The Chicago Botanic Garden is making an exciting event even better! The ever-popular Reindog Parade, typically held in December, is being moved to October as a fall parade of dogs in Halloween costumes. The Spooky Pooch Parade is from 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 31. For two very special hours only, dogs are allowed in the Garden. Cleverly costumed canines march the parade route to celebrate the season. Spectators are invited to line the parade route for a barking good time.

In addition to the parade, activities include the costume contest, judging and an awards ceremony. Costume categories include: “Best Overall Halloween Costume”; “Best Dog/Owner Look-Alike”; “Best Puppy” for dogs in people years one and under; “Best Senior” for dogs in people years 10 and older; and “Best Horticultural Interpretation.”

This year’s panel of judges include, Lee Ann Trotter, entertainment reporter for WMAQ-TV; Mike Caplan, weather anchor for WLS-TV; Susan Randstrom, garden columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times; Tim Johnson, director of horticulture for the Chicago Botanic Garden; and Sandy Wisniewski, founder and director of Animal Education and Rescue in Lake County. Emceeing this year’s parade will be Ed Curran, meteorologist for WBBM-TV.

Nonprofits and vendors from a variety of local pet supply shops will share information and sell dog-related products. The parade steps off from the Esplanade, where the activities and costume contest take place. Dogs must be on leash at all times and leave the Garden by 3 p.m.

Registration prices are $14 in advance; $19 at the door. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. Parade spectators pay for parking only. Registration forms, complete with the dog-gone rules, will be available at the Information Desk at the Visitor Center, or on our website at www.chicagobotanic.org/dog.

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Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 24 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $20 per car; free for Garden members. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden's Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. A program of the Chicago Botanic Garden, Windy City Harvest is an organic vegetable and plant production enterprise that provides instruction in sustainable horticulture and urban agriculture to residents of Chicago’s North Lawndale and West Side neighborhoods.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). The Chicago Botanic Garden is also host to Botanic Gardens Conservation International-U.S., and a member of the Center for Plant Conservation. In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.