Officials Announce Casting Call for Dog Park Video
Are you ready for your close-up? Oak Forest officials have announced an open casting call for participants in the community spirit video portion in the Bark for Your Park $100K Dog Park contest.
Lights. Camera. Bark?
That may just be the direction of a community spirit video the city of Oak Forest is filming for the final leg of the PetSafe Bark for Your Park $100,000 contest.
Oak Forest is one of 15 cities in the final round of the competition and winning the contest would net the city the $100K to build a dog park. Voting is still open and now officials are rounding up local enthusiasts (and their pet pooches) to show their support in the video.
The production will be filmed at Oak Forest City Hall, at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 23.
"We will need owners and their pooches to sit in City Hall Chambers, as well as to be a part of a large group cheer," said Laura Clemons, 1st Ward Alderman who has helped lead the charge for a dog park since September of last year.
Contest regulations state that participants should not any clothing with a logo on it -- including sports shirts, teams, etc. -- so a plain shirt is best, Clemons cautioned. Each participant will also be required to sign a video release form.
If the warm weather trends continue into the weekend, owners should bring a bottle of water to keep their pets hydrated.
In September of 2011, fundraising efforts began to construct a dog park and just shy of $12,000 has been raised for the facility, Clemons said, which may be constructed on a portion of the Bremen Grove of the Cook County Forest Preserve. Supporters of the park say a dog park will give pets the opportunity to socialize and exercise with other dogs, offering the open space for those who may not have it at home.
Current plans include an area for small dogs, large dogs, benches, double entry gates and shade areas. With continued fundraising efforts, Clemons is hopeful the facility can have added amenities such as pavillions and agility courses.
"The Petsafe Bark for Your Park contest is the very first national contest that the city of Oak Forest has entered, and we are so proud and excited to see our city in the finals," Clemons said.
"The number of votes received so far based on our population shows the support from the community and surrounding communities for this project," she continued. "This contest has brought the community together working for a wonderful cause."
Jason Akai
10:05 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Somebody call Lauren and make sure Huck is there.
Lauren Traut
10:32 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Hi, Jason!
Huck is already practicing his poses in the mirror. Also, I got a call from a salon yesterday, confirming his pedicure and massage.
Looks like someone thinks he's a movie star....
Michael M.
12:27 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
How much is this costing the taxpayers? I had heard it was volunteer and donations, but not sure if that is accurate. The article does say-Oak Forest officials... and the city of Oak Forest is filming...; this makes it sound like the city may be financing some of this.
Laura Clemons
12:56 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Michael - this isn't costing the taxpayers a thing. For Saturday's filming, the videographers are private citizens who are donating their time, equipment and expertise to the project because they support the cause. The "actors" are all volunteers who will be filming on a Saturday on their free time. The "officials" mentioned are supporting the cause in their free time, and are coordinating these efforts. Not a dime of city funds will be, have been or ever will be used for this effort.
Michael M.
12:57 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Glad to hear it. Just wanted to confirm.
Amanda A
1:39 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
I wish I could bring my pup to help out! We'll be out of town. :-(
Bridgette Outten
1:47 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Hi Michael, thanks for your comment. I only used the word "officials" because Alderman Clemons is a city alderman supporting the effort, but I did not mean to imply that the city is financing the event. Apologies if this was confusing. Thank you, Ms. Clemons for addressing the question. And everyone else, thanks for reading...be sure to bring out your pups if you can!
Pommymom
8:55 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
Do you have to live in Oak Forest to participate?
Krista
11:56 am on Friday, June 22, 2012
You can get up to 9 votes on FRIDAYs only on the petsafe.net site.
After you have done your other two votes, here is how you can get an extra 7 for us!
Got to the website:
www.petsafe.net
At the top, there is a tab for "Products";
That will bring up a menu; choose "Treats"
A pop up question will show on the screen.
Answering the question will give OF 7 additional votes!
The correct answer is "10", although I think
visiting the page gives the votes, not the actual response!
This is only good on Friday, so please take a minute to do this in addition to your usual voting!
Go Oak Forest!
Fiona Stevenson
6:01 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
I'm voting for you daly and I'm in Scotland heard about it through Tim and his dog storm , Good luck !