for immediate release

Sixth Annual Reindog Parade

Chicago Botanic Garden, Saturday, Dec. 6, 2008

Media Only:
Julie McCaffrey
(847) 835-8213
jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org

GLENCOE, Ill. (August 11, 2008)—The Sixth Annual Reindog Parade returns to the Chicago Botanic Garden on Saturday, Dec. 6 as part of the holiday exhibition, Wonderland Express. For three very special hours only, dogs can visit the Chicago Botanic Garden. Cleverly costumed canines march the parade route – with Santa in the lead carrying a giant rawhide bone--to celebrate the holiday season and complete for prizes awarded by celebrity judges. Spectators are invited to line the parade route for a barking good time.

The event begins with registration, judging and activities, continues with the parade and ends with judges awarding prizes for each of the categories. Costume categories include: “Best Overall Holiday Costume”; “Best Dog/Owner Look-A-Like”; “Best Puppy” for dogs in people years one and under; “Best Senior” for dogs in people years 10 and older; and “Best Horticultural Interpretation.”

Activities include a visit and photo opportunity for dogs with Santa, demonstrations by dog experts and vendors from a variety of pet supply shops and animal advocacy groups. Hours are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dogs must be on leash at all times and must leave the Garden by 2 p.m.

Registration prices are $14 in advance (until Dec. 5 at 5 p.m.); $19 at the door. Parking is $15 per car; free for Garden members. Parade spectators pay for parking only. Reindog registration forms will be available on the Web site starting Oct. 22, at www.chicagobotanic.org/dog. All dogs must check in on the day of the parade.

Wonderland Express is an annual holiday exhibition in the Regenstein Center and on the grounds of the Chicago Botanic Garden. From Nov. 28, 2008 through Jan. 4, 2009, the Garden will be transformed into a winter wonderland featuring twinkling lights and beautiful holiday horticulture displays. Outdoors, the Garden grounds have been transformed into a grand winter wonderland of trees and shrubs, dramatically-lit with over 750,000 LED lights. The esplanade features a 40-foot tree, lit with multi-colored lights, surrounded by large lit spheres that appear to be ornaments fallen from the tree.

Indoors, visitors will find garden-scale trains winding their way over bridges, under trestles, past waterfalls and detailed landscapes with 80 miniature versions of Chicago’s favorite landmarks. Buildings, tunnels and bridges have been intricately hand crafted with natural materials, including twigs, bark, leaves, acorns and pebbles. The Krehbiel Gallery features an English country train platform with an old-world feel, including more trains and landmarks found on Chicago's North Shore.

Wonderland Express hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Nov. 28 through Jan. 4, 2009 (closed at 3 p.m. on Dec. 4 and 24 and all day Dec. 25). Exhibition tickets are available for the general public on October 22 onsite at the Information Desk in the Visitor Center and online at www.chicagobotanic.org/wonderland. Cost is $10 for adults and $8 for children (ages 3-12) and seniors (62+). Members pay $8 for adults and $6 for children (ages 3-12) and seniors (62+). Admission to Wonderland Express on Tuesdays through Dec. 23 is free. All ticket purchases are timed for entry. Parking is $15 per car; free for Garden members.

For more information on the Reindog Parade or Wonderland Express, call (847) 835-5440, or visit the Garden’s Web site at www.chicagobotanic.org.

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Editors, please note: The Chicago Botanic Garden's newsroom is online at www.chicagobotanic.org/pr. For digital images, contact Julie McCaffrey at (847) 835-8213 or at jmccaffrey@chicagobotanic.org.

The Chicago Botanic Garden, one of the green treasures of the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, is a 385-acre living plant museum featuring 23 distinct display gardens surrounded by lakes, as well as a prairie and woodlands. With events, programs and activities for all ages, the Garden is open every day of the year, except Dec. 25. Admission is free; select event fees apply. Parking is $15; free for members. On Tuesdays, senior citizens age 62 and older pay just $7 for parking. The Garden is located at 1000 Lake Cook Road in Glencoe, Ill. Visit www.chicagobotanic.org, or call (847) 835-5440 for seasonal hours, images of the Garden and commuter transportation information.

The Chicago Botanic Garden is managed by the Chicago Horticultural Society. It opened to the public in 1972 and is home to the Joseph Regenstein, Jr. School of the Chicago Botanic Garden, offering a broad array of adult classes in plant science, landscape design and gardening arts. Through the Division of Plant Science and Conservation, Garden scientists work on plant conservation, research and environmental initiatives that have global impact. The Center for Teaching and Learning brings the wonder of nature and plants to children, teens and teachers. The Garden's Horticultural Therapy and Community Gardening programs provide nationally recognized community outreach and service programs. The Garden is also breaking new ground in urban horticulture and jobs training through a 15-acre project in the North Lawndale neighborhood of Chicago called Windy City Harvest. The Chicago Botanic Garden is accredited by the American Association of Museums and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA). In 2006, the Chicago Botanic Garden received the Award for Garden Excellence, given yearly by the APGA and Horticulture magazine to a public garden that exemplifies the highest standards of horticultural practices and has shown a commitment to supporting and demonstrating best gardening practices.