Take Your Costumed Canine to Morven Park’s ‘Howl-o-ween’

Dress your pooch in its best costume attire and celebrate Morven Park’s first “Howl-o-ween” event, Saturday, Oct. 29, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

With proceeds benefiting Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue, the event will include a canine costume parade, prizes for best costumes, grooming and nail trimming, and obedience and agility demonstrations.

Participants can have photos taken with their dogs and bid on items in a silent auction. Other activities include a yard sale, a vendors’ row, and a bake sale. The entry fee is $5 per dog but is free to owners and spectators. “Early dog” entry is available at 1 p.m. for $15 per dog, offering the best parking and first access to vendors and professional photographers.

Vendors will be displaying the finest in canine couture, toys, and grooming supplies. Those lucky enough to win the costume contest will compete for gifts from these and other local pet supply vendors.

Almost Heaven Golden Retriever Rescue is a non-profit organization serving Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and parts of Pennsylvania. The rescue group accepts senior and difficult-to-adopt golden retrievers and finds foster and adoption homes for them. It also provides sanctuary for any dogs they are unable to place.

A National Register Historic Property, Morven Park was once the home of Virginia Gov. Westmoreland Davis. The park continues to reflect the ideals advanced by Gov. Davis – civic responsibility, agricultural sustainability, and improvement of life for rural Virginians – through programs offered at its three museums, equestrian center, and 1,000 acres of open space. Morven Park is a non-profit organization, operated by the Westmoreland Davis Memorial Foundation. It receives no government funding, but relies on donations and event income in order to maintain its facilities and offer educational programming.