THE OFFICIAL PUGFEST WEB PAGE
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Welcome! PUGFEST originated in 1999 as a birthday celebration for our two pugs, Buddy, who passed away July of 2008, and Betty. The purpose was simply to have a two hour party in the park in their honor and to raise some money for pug rescue. The original goal was to have 10-15 pugs, serve cake to the puggers and treats to the pugs. To our surprise, 36 pugs came and it was teriffic! The next year, Pugfest II attracted 82 pugs, Pugfest III in 2001 had 206 pugs, in 2002, more than 300 pugs attended PF4, 2003, more than 400 pugs registered for PF5. PF5 was featured on WKRC, WCPO, WXIX and The Fox News Network picked it up nationally on the next Monday. Last year, for PF6, despite the on-off nature of having the event, we still had over 300 pugs and Pugfest was featured on ESPN's Sportscenter as the #6 "Play of the Week." Since the pug is Chinese in origin and, in China, birthdays are celebrated annually but not on a specific day (the year of the monkey), someone suggested that perhaps Pugfest can be the birthday party for all pugs attending for that year. After PF6, The Cincinnati Park Board felt that we had out grown the park in Hyde Park Square. On Sunday, October 9, 2005 PUGFEST 7 was held from 12noon-3pm on the grounds of H.J. Benken Florist and Greenhouse. The location was perfect with lots of green space, parking, a pond, picnic tables and shelter in the event of adverse weather. The theme for PUGFEST 7 was "PUGSTOCK - Flower Power" to celebrate the location at Benken. Other than some chilly weather for early October, PF7 was the largest Pugfest yet, over 500 pugs and 1200 people. That's the good news. The bad news is that parking was difficult with more than 600 cars arriving at the same time. All in all, the event was super as was the music provided by SHaKN', The Twirlers and Dan Marshall.
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PUGFEST 8: PUGS OF THE CARIBBEAN was originally planned for Sunday, October 8, 2006. Due to the growth rate and projected attendance of PF8, we are postponing the event until Spring of '07. The date hasn't yet been set due to the fact that we are looking into a new location that will be suitable for the projected crowd and parking needed. Since the Spring is when OPR holds it's annual Spring Picnic in Columbus, we will make sure that we are not in conflict with their event. As soon as we set the date and location, it will be posted and, if you're in our database, you'll be notified by email. OHIO PUG RESCUE'S need for money is serious and real. Our delaying PF8 until Spring leaves them without the significant donation which Pugfest has generated for them. In light of this issue, we are asking that you make a voluntary donation to OPR, as soon as possible, as their food and vet bills contiunue with or without Pugfest and we must take care of those PUGS! For information: Stan Hertzman (513) 871-1500 To make sure you're in our database email: shertzman@cinci.rr.com Donations: Ohio Pug Rescue, Inc. c/o PUGFEST, PO Box 8369, Cincinnati OH 45208
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