Dogs & Comics Set For Woofstock 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.

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.

For a howling-ly good time, check out the Mainstage festivities on June 11 and June 12, either as a participant or a viewer. Berczy Park will once again be stage centre with its roster of fun contests and canine fashion shows. 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.
On June 11, comedian Richard Ryder hosts the Mainstage events. Ryder's brilliantly eclectic humour has been featured on NBC's Last Comic Standing, CBC Radio One's Accent On Toronto, and he won Q107's Funniest Person With A Day Job contest. He can be heard daily on 103.9 PROUD FM and seen weekly on This Week On OUT TV.
The dog-gone fun continues June 12 with the side-splitting Mark Debonis as host of the Mainstage events. Winner of Yuk Yuk's 2011 Great Canadian Laugh Off and 2010 Canadian Comedy Award winner for Best Newcomer in Canada, he has been featured on Second City as the headlining act of NBA Comic, in the 2009 Waterloo Comedy Festival and was a finalist on Canada's Next Top Comic.

The Mainstage events kick off each day with the Woofstock Fashion Show at 12:05pm. Fashion forward pooches of all sizes and pedigree put on the dog, showcasing the ultimate in canine couture. as they strut down the "dog walk," sporting selections from the latest doggie fashion lines, all available at Woofstock.

Woof-tastic canine contests follow, judged by a tail-waggingly funny roster of comics. Don't miss:
12:30pm: Stupid Dog Trick Contest - 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.
1pm: Ms. & Mr. Canine Canada Contest - Some dogs exude canine charisma, drawing remarks about how good-looking they are wherever they go. Those limelight hogs (let's make that "dogs"), compete for the crown in the Ms. and Mr. Canine Canada Pageant.
2pm: Best Costume Contest - 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.

New attractions for Woofstock this year include:
-Your Dog is a Star! where, for a $3 donation, pups can pose with life-sized cut-outs of celebrities to give your beloved pooch the star-treatment! Aspiring "pup-arazzi" can then post their pictures to Eurocan Pet Products' Facebook. 50% of proceeds go to K9 Rescue Me and Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind and participants get a free Bullwrinkle with each donation;

-McCann Rookie Agility Course with pups getting their exercise and honing their skills racing an obstacle course;

-Park Your Paws Patio outside the Sony Centre for the Performing Arts where parched pooches can enjoy a free treat and "let sleeping dogs lie" as they take a break from the sun while their peeps sip a beverage at this new dog-friendly patio.

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 and a full schedule of events, 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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