‘Bark at the Parx’ Basset Hound Racing

THANK YOU for making this event such a success! Here are some Photos & Video from the 2025 Bark at the Parx:

• Photos from Images on the Run
• Photos from Images on the Run – photos are available to purchase
• Photos from Equi-Photo
• YouTube Video of the Races from Parx Racing

The hounds will race in between the horse races starting around 2:00pm. Here is the tentative race schedule (subject to change if the horse race times are adjusted at all):

• 2:03pm – PUREBRED BASSET HOUNDS Race #1
• 2:08pm – PUREBRED BASSET HOUNDS Race #2
• 2:13pm – PUREBRED BASSET HOUNDS Race #3
• 2:18pm – SENIOR HOUNDS Race (single race determines the champion)
• 2:55pm – PUREBRED BASSET HOUNDS Race #4
• 3:00pm – PUREBRED BASSET HOUNDS Race #5
• 3:05pm – PUREBRED BASSET HOUNDS Race #6
• 3:10pm – PUREBRED BASSET HOUNDS Race #7
• 3:47pm – BASSET HOUND MIX Race (single race determines the champion)
• 3:52pm – FINAL for PUREBRED BASSET HOUNDS

THIS EVENT IS RAIN OR SHINE!  ONLY COMPETING HOUNDS ARE ALLOWED TO ATTEND!

That’s right folks…we are back at Parx Racing in Bensalem, PA to see YOUR hounds race on the horse track! For a $30 donation, your purebred Basset Hound or Basset Hound Mix can participate. And back this year we have a special race JUST FOR SENIOR HOUNDS!

IF THE RACE OPTION YOU WANT IS SOLD OUT, PLEASE EMAIL US TO GET ON THE WAITLIST: juliaellis2010@gmail.com.

There are three race options this year:

1. SOLD OUT!! PUREBRED BASSET HOUND (84 racing spots available; MUST BE a Purebred Basset Hound to compete in these races)
2. SOLD OUT!! BASSET HOUND MIX (12 racing spots available; MUST BE a Basset Hound Mix to compete in this race)
3. SOLD OUT!! SENIOR HOUND (14 racing spot available; MUST BE a Purebred Basset Hound OR Basset Hound Mix, and MUST BE approximately 10 years old [or older] to compete in this race)

Event Details:

• THIS EVENT IS RAIN OR SHINE! If the horse races are proceeding as scheduled then we will have the hound races too.
• When: Saturday, June 7, 2025
• Where: Parx Racing | 3001 Street Road, Bensalem, PA 19020
• Approximate Timeline: 
  • 11:00 a.m. – Gates OPEN at Parx and REGISTRATION for competing dogs begins
  • 12:00 p.m. – HORSE RACES and family-friendly ACTIVITIES begin (food options, vendors, raffle baskets, etc.)
  • 1:00 p.m. – Registration ENDS for competing dogs (all competing dogs MUST check in at the registration table by this time)
  • 1:20 p.m. – Derby Hat Contest**
  • 2:00 p.m. – Dog races START (the dog races will be in between the horse races; exact heat times will be shared with competitors a few days advance of the event)
  • 3:30 p.m. – Raffle Prize Drawing
  • 3:45 p.m. – FINAL RACES for the Purebreds and Basset Hound Mixes (the final two races for the Purebreds and Basset Hound Mixes to determine our champions)
  • 6:00 p.m. – Horse races END (Stick around after the dogs finish competing to watch the rest of the horse races)
• Parking: Plenty of FREE parking lots; there is a designated lot for the PICNIC GROVE.
• Entrance: Enter through the PICNIC GROVE area (map below).
• Cost: Free to enter the park and watch the event. It is a $30 donation if you want your hound to compete (and you get a great ‘swag bag’ with lots of goodies!). TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT!
• What to Bring: Parx allows outside food and beverages (except for alcohol), so feel free to bring your own stuff! Also bring your own blankets and chairs (there are picnic tables, but we are expecting a large crowd). Note: Parx will search bags prior to allowing admission into the Picnic Grove.
• *Family Fun Activities: TSBHR will have new merchandise for sale, a raffle table to win prizes, and small business vendors selling their merch and services. Parx will also be hosting kid-friendly activities in the Lower Picnic Grove.
• **Derby Hat Contest: Super fun contest to unleash your hatitude! Bring an upcycled hat that you’ve decorated in whatever lovely lady or dapper gentleman theme you want. Let your hounds wear those floppy hats to show off your creations during the contest in the lower picnic grove before the final Basset Hound race heats. Prizes for the 1st, 2nd, 3rd place winners and crowd favorite!
• Tickets: If you want your Basset or Basset-Mix to compete, you must purchase a ticket in advance by June 1. Each ticket includes a great ‘swag bag’ with lots of goodies! TICKETS ARE SOLD OUT!
• Note: Only competing dogs are permitted at Parx. If you have any questions about this, please contact juliaellis2010@gmail.com. 

THIS EVENT IS RAIN OR SHINE! ​All proceeds from this event support the hounds in need! Questions? Email us at juliaellis2010@gmail.com.

‘BARK AT THE PARX’ SHIRTS

ONLINE SHIRT SALES HAVE ENDED! REMAINING SHIRST ARE AVAILABLE FOR SALE IN-PERSON AT THE EVENT!

We are so excited to have this fabulous design for our 2025 ‘Bark at the Parx’ shirts created by our good friend, Pino Espudo, founder/owner of éSpūdö Enterprises. 

• Color options are SEA GREEN or BROWN
• Size options are adult M to 3XL
• We have a very LIMITED SUPPLY of shirts and anticipate they will sell quickly
• Cost is $27 each, which includes shipping
• Shirts will start shipping in mid-May
• Remaining shirts will be available to purchase in-person at ‘Bark at the Parx’ on June 7th

THANK YOU TO ALL THE VENDORS SUPPORTING OUR EVENT!

• Annamaet Petfoods – A family owned and operated company headquartered in Hatfield, PA! They have provided optimum nutrition to dogs and cats for over 30 years. We are so grateful to Annamaet Petfoods for helping us secure dog food samples that will be in the participant ‘swag bags.’
• BarkBox – Beloved by over 2M dogs, BarkBox is the toys/treats subscription dogs are barking about. They made a raffle donation for our event.
• Basset Studios – Homemade goods from their paws to your hearts! Lizzy will be selling her lovely handmade and custom Basset-themed goods.
• Bentley Waffles Designs – Really fun apparel, home décor and accessories for all hound lovers! They made a raffle donation for our event.
• Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom – An amusement park in Allentown, PA, featuring over 60 world-class rides and one of the northeast’s largest waterparks. They made a raffle donation for our event.
• éSpūdö Enterprises – Our good friend, Pino Espudo is the owner/founder of eSpudo Enterprises and is an expert graphic designer who designed the 2025 ‘Bark at the Parx’ logo! His online shop has some great Basset-themed items too! We are so grateful to Pino for donating custom stickers that will be in the participant ‘swag bags.’
• FirstMate Pet Foods – A family owned and operated company, they have provided high-quality ingredients and nutritionally complete diets to pets 30 years. We are so grateful to FirstMate Pet Foods for helping us secure dog food samples that will be in the participant ‘swag bags.’
• Images on the Run – Tim Hawk and Lori Nichols from Images on the Run are our official photographers for ‘Bark at the Parx. Make sure to stop by their table in the lower picnic grove to book a private photo session with them!
• Lehigh Valley IronPigs – The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are a Minor League Baseball team and the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. They made a raffle donation for our event.
• Longwood Gardens – Longwood Gardens is a botanical garden that consists of over 1,077 acres of gardens, woodlands, and meadows in Kennett Square, PA. They made a raffle donation for our event.
• Perk Valley Pet Eatery – Located in Trappe, PA, this hidden gem of a pet supply store has a team of caring and knowledgable pet professionals that are committed to offering the exceptional quality in pet food and health supplies. We are so grateful to Perk Valley Pet Eatery for helping us secure dog food samples that will be in the participant ‘swag bags.’
• Philadelphia Animal Specialty & Emergency  (PASE) – Rebecca and our friends from PASE will be on site in the lower picnic grove providing information about their services. As the ‘official’ vet of ‘Bark at the Parx’ they will also set up a cooling station for the competing hounds and will provide vet care as needed for the attending dogs. PASE is a trusted emergency and veterinary specialist in Philadelphia PA. PASE offers the highest quality patient care to ensure the health of your pet.
• Philly Pet Pages – Philly Pet Pages is a sponsor of the 2025 ‘Bark at the Parx’! They are the #1 trusted resource for pets and their people! If it’s related to pets – it’s in Philly Pet Pages. Whether in print or online – Pet Pages is informative, insightful and very entertaining. We are so grateful to them for their magazine donation that will be in the participant ‘swag bags.’
• Reading Fightin’ Phils – Minor league baseball team and the Double-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. They made a raffle donation for our event.
• Rigby Pets – Train your puppy with Rigby’s super-high-value dog treat pouches. Designed for on-the-go. They made a raffle donation for our event.
• Saint Rocco’s Treats – Kaleb, Kolby and team will be at the event selling all natural dog treats and food made in PA. We are so grateful to them for their treat sample donations that will be in the participant ‘swag bags.’
• Six Flags Great Adventure – An amusement park located in Jackson Township, NJ that is home to 14 world-class coasters, thrilling family rides and a 350-acre drive-thru safari right next door. They made a raffle donation for our event.
• Subaru – Subaru loves pets! And we are so grateful to them for their donations of dog bandanas that are in the participant ‘swag bags.’
• The Dog Bone Guy – Anthony and his team of Bernese Mount Dogs will be selling grass-fed NJ angus beef bones and more out of their bus in the lower picnic grove.
• The Lazy Dog Cookie Company – Lazy Dog bakes all-natural dog treats, dog birthday Pup-PIE’s, dog ice cream and holiday treats. Simple, Limited-Ingredient Treats made in Saratoga Springs, NY. We are so grateful to them for their treat donations that will be in the participant ‘swag bags.’
• Underwood Dog Bakery – They offer human-grade, all-natural dog treats using high-quality, simple ingredients, offering dogs nutritious and delightful options. We are so grateful for the discount on Basset-shaped dog treats that the race winners will get!

Mini-Portrait Sessions from Images On The Run

We are so excited to share that Tim and Lori from Images on the Run are having mini-portrait sessions on Sunday for just $39.95…here are the details:

• Click HERE to sign up in advance or scan the QR code in the graphic so that Tim and Lori can determine the interest in this offering.
• Check in at the Images on the Run table.
• Official sign-ups will be at our table the day of the event — first come, first served.
• Photo sessions are 10 minutes long and you’ll receive one digital download for $39.95. Additional digital downloads will be available for a fee.
• Questions? Please reach out to Lori at info@imagesontherunus.com.