Attention all cats, dogs, hamsters, parakeets, ducks, rabbits, turtles, gold fish, ferrets, ponies, iguanas, chickens, pigs and river rats, of course this is New York City.
Are you ready for your red carpet moment? Can you handle the pressure of the spotlight and the woofs, meows quacks, chirps, and neighs (there are a couple of horse stables nearby) of your peers?
If so, you and your two-legged pets, male or female of all ages, shapes, colors are invited, to Pier 84’s Pet Parade and Fall Festival. And this year the spotlight will shine brighter than ever. Animal Planet Television will film the event.
Sponsored by Friends of Hudson River Park and the West 44th Street Better Block Association/Friends of Pier 84 the third annual pet parade will take place on the main plaza in front of P.D. O'Hurley’s outdoor café.
This event is more than prancing along a forty-foot red carpet and showing off your two-legged house pet. Spoiled Brats, one of Hell’s Kitchen, most popular pet shops will offer prizes in six categories: most obedient, best dressed, most exotic, best trick, best participant/two-legged pet look-alike, and an overall grand prizewinner.
Eddie Rum, owner of Spoiled Brats on West 49th street, will again offer prizes.
“Let’s step it up and make it even more exciting. Lets give everyone a reason to really strut their stuff,” he said. There are no losers. All participants will receive goodie bags courtesy of Spoiled Brats.
Last year about thirty-five friends participated in Hell’s Kitchen answer to the Tony Awards. This included four cats, two Siamese beauties and a turtle. The turtle and the Siamese cats won prizes. The contest features an MC, four judges and the circling of the large water fountain in the Pier’s oval, which will be shut off for the day.
The event is open to everyone. It is scheduled for Sunday, October 4 on Pier 84, located at 44th street and the Hudson River between the Intrepid and the Circle Line Piers.
Registration begins at 3 pm. The contest starts at 4 pm. You must sign-up at the FOHRP Association table under the large white tent. To pre-register email petparade@fohrp.org.
Lets not forget the Fall Festival which features two extremely talented musical groups based in Hell’s Kitchen on the same day. The Piers Lawrence Quartet will perform at 3 pm and the NYC Slickers, a Bluegrass group, at 6pm. Members of a NYC Astronomy club will give an informational visual offer tour of the evening sky. Face painting is available for children. All is free.
Enjoy casual lunch or dinner and drinks at P.D. O'Hurley’s bar and outdoor café before or after the event.
Come out and celebrate our furry, cuddly and loyal friends on Pier 84, the gem of Hudson River Park.
Photo: By Rudi Papiri; Some of the participants of the 2008 Pet Parade
