High Falls Pet Fair 2009

Actor Ana Ortiz, who plays Hilda Suarez on the hit ABC TV show, "Ugly Betty" will serve as a celebrity judge for this year's High Falls Pet Fair.
Annual Pet Lover's Contest offers Fun & Education for Humans & Animal Companions

Ms. Ortiz will be one of three judges presiding over the Pet Show. She is joined by distinguished colleagues William Warren, Marbletown Dog Officer and Richard Murphy, owner of The Egg’s Nest restaurant.

Actor Ana Ortíz has appeared in numerous TV guest roles on programs such as NYPD Blue, Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman, Boston Legal, ER, The New Adventures of Old Christine and Everybody Loves Raymond. Ortiz received the ALMA Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2007 for her role as Hilda Suarez, older sister of title character Betty Suarez. Ortiz began her career as a stage actor with LAByrinth Theatre Company and appeared off-Broadway in "In Arabia, We'd All Be Kings." The production was directed by Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman and named one of the 10-best plays of 1999 by the magazine Time Out New York.

The event will be held in the Community Church of High Falls parking lot on Second Street in the hamlet of High Falls off of Route 213. The event runs from 10am to 1pm.

This annual event is sponsored by The High Falls Civic Association (HFCA), a community group dedicated to preserving the myriad joys and conserving the resources of small-town America. Admission is free for all humans. Animals entered into the pet show contest will be charged a $4 entry fee. All proceeds will benefit the HFCA.

Pet lovers of all stripes are invited to come mingle with other fans of our animal companions in a day that will be both fun and educational. Several pet-related vendors will be in attendance, from animal rescue groups to pet-food merchants. Learn the latest about caring for your furry friends through local short-term boarding, animal training and even pet-sitting.

All pets must be on a leash, in a carrier or otherwise restricted by the owner. Owners are urged to bring food and water for their animal companions.

Registration for the High Falls Pet Show begins at 10am and will be open for an hour. From 10-11am, there will be general judging, in which all pets will be evaluated for good breeding, friendly behavior, cuddly quotients and photogenic qualities. Winners will each receive a special ribbon for individual merit, to be awarded by the quorum of distinguished judges in attendance.

The special judging commences at 11am. Pets as diverse as a Pomeranians or ponies, tarantulas or turtles, may be entered for competition in the following categories:

All pets are limited to entering three competitions apiece. There will be a separate pet competition limited to children and their animal pals. Children are also invited to tell a personal story about your faithful friend. The child who spins the best yarn will receive a prize! There is no admission cost for attending The High Falls Pet Show 2008. However, please be sure to bring plenty of pocket change for food and drink and pet-related treats and accessories.

Please note: Owners are responsible for their pets. The High Falls Civic Association, The Community Church of High Falls, and the Town of Marbletown assume no responsibility for damages caused by pets, owners or other parties. All proceeds from the day will go to future community events sponsored by The High Falls Civic Association. For more information about joining the Civic Association, please visit www.highfallscivic.org.