Mardi Gras Cluster Dog Show Begins Thursday
4,056 dogs representing 160 different breeds will go head to head for the title of Best In Show at the 5th Annual 
which is co-sponsored by both the Baton Rouge Kennel Club and the Alexandria Kennel Club. The show begins on Thursday, January 22nd and runs through Sunday, January 25th at the Alexandria Riverfront Center, 707 Second Street in downtown Alexandria. Judging will begin each morning at 8:00 AM and run until approximately 5:00 PM.
Baton Rouge, LA December 22, 2014: The 5th Annual Mardi Gras Cluster Dog Show, co-hosted by both the Alexandria Kennel Club and the Baton Rouge Kennel Club will be held beginning Thursday, January 22nd through Sunday, January 25, 2015. The Alexandria Riverfront Center, located at 707 Second Street in downtown Alexandria will once again host this event that saw a record number of entries last year. Dogs from all over the country will be competing for the coveted Best In Show trophies that will be given out each day. The shows will be held under the rules of the American Kennel Club and will be supervised by Onofrio Dog Shows. Additionally, the Alexandria Kennel Club will hold an Obedience Match on Friday evening and a Conformation and Obedience Match on Saturday, following the Best In Show competition. These will be held in the Ballroom of the Alexander Fulton Hotel, which is adjacent to the Riverfront Center. There will also be a grooming seminar conducted by Chris Christensen. Everyone who attends will be eligible for a door prize. The clubs will also welcome two new breeds to this show, the Coton de Tulear (non-sporting group) and the Wirehaired Vizsla (sporting group).
Judging for the shows will begin at approximately 8:00 AM each morning and end around 5:00 PM. Once again, Admission will be free, but only dogs entered in the show will be allowed inside the building. Also, because of space limitations, baby strollers and wagons will not be permitted. Parking will be available at the parking garage adjacent to the Alexander Fulton Hotel. Vendors will also be available with treats for your four-legged best friends. Concessions will also be available for purchase.
Despite the snow/ice storm and cold temperatures last year, over 4,500 dogs were entered over the four-day event and brought in approximately $275,000 to the Alexandria/Pineville area. Figures released by AKC (American Kennel Club) for 2013 shows that 196 events were held in the State of Louisiana by the 76 member clubs and 29,470 dogs participated in these events. Also according to AKC, exhibitors at these events spent on average of between $512 and $622 each per show weekend.
The Baton Rouge Kennel club will host the first two days (Jan. 22 & 23) and the Alexandria Kennel Club will host Jan. 24 & 25.
For further information, please visit either the Baton Rouge Kennel Club or the Alexandria Kennel Club’s websites at www.batonrougekennelclub.com or www.alexandriakennelclub.org. You may also visit the American Kennel Club website at www.akc.org or Onofrio Dog Shows website at www.onofrio.com