‘Bark at the Parx’ Basset Hound Racing

Can’t make it to the races…Parx is providing LIVE STREAMING of the event! Click on this link and select the ‘Live’ tab: https://www.youtube.com/@OfficialParxRacing/featured

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 – SENIOR HOUNDS Race (single race determines the champion)
• 2:08pm – PUREBRED BASSET HOUNDS Race #1
• 2:13pm – PUREBRED BASSET HOUNDS Race #2
• 2:18pm – PUREBRED BASSET HOUNDS Race #3
• 2:23pm – PUREBRED BASSET HOUNDS Race #4
• 2:55pm – PUREBRED BASSET HOUNDS Race #5
• 3:00pm – PUREBRED BASSET HOUNDS Race #6
• 3:05pm – PUREBRED BASSET HOUNDS Race #7
• 3:10pm – BASSET HOUND MIX Race (single race determines the champion)
• 4:14pm – FINAL for PUREBRED BASSET HOUNDS

That’s right folks…we are back at Parx Racing in Bensalem, PA to see YOUR hounds race on the horse track! For a $25 donation, your purebred Basset Hound or Basset Hound Mix can participate. And back this year we have a special race JUST FOR SENIOR HOUNDS!

Spots are limited, so get your tickets today (HERE is the ticket link). There are three race options this year:

1. PUREBRED BASSET HOUND (84 racing spots available; MUST BE a Purebred Basset Hound to compete in these races)
2. BASSET HOUND MIX (12 racing spots available; MUST BE a Basset Hound Mix to compete in this race)
3. SENIOR HOUND (12 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:

• When: Saturday, June 8, 2024
• 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)
  • 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. – Derby Hat Contest**
  • 3:45 p.m. – Raffle Prize Drawing
  • 4:15 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 $25 donation if you want your hound to compete (and you get a great ‘swag bag’ with lots of goodies!); HERE is the ticket link.
• 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, doggy kissing booth. There will also be food and vendors, including: BBQ food options from Parx, Saint Rocco’s Treats, Kani Kouture, Caricatures, Murals & More, The Dog Bone Guy, Philadelphia Animal Specialty & Emergency (PASE), Images on the Run, and Blue Pearl Pet Hospital of Langhorne.
• **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 4th at 5:00pm, EST, HERE is the Eventbrite link. Each ticket includes a great ‘swag bag’ with lots of goodies!
• 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 Julia@tristatebassets.org

‘BARK AT THE PARX’ SHIRTS

Online shirt sales have ended. Remaining shirts will be available to purchase in-person at ‘Bark at the Parx’ on June 8th!

We are so excited to have this fabulous design for our 2024 ‘Bark at the Parx’ shirts created by our new friend, Pino Espudo, founder/owner of éSpūdö Enterprises. Click HERE to access our online shop!

• Color options are STEEL BLUE or CHARCOAL BLACK
• 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
• Click HERE to access our online shop!
• Remaining shirts will be available to purchase in-person at ‘Bark at the Parx’ on June 8th

THANK YOU TO ALL THE VENDORS SUPPORTING OUR EVENT!

• BarkBox – Beloved by over 2M dogs, BarkBox is the toys/treats subscription dogs are barking about. They made a raffle donation for our event.
• Bentley Waffles Designs – Really fun apparel, home décor and accessories. They made a raffle donation for our event.
• BluePearl Pet Hospital of Langhorne – Kara and team from BluePearl will have a vendor booth set up providing information about their services. BluePearl is located in Langhorne, PA and is home to a team of emergency and specialty veterinarians who are trained to treat even the most complex conditions and injuries in pets.
• Caricatures, Murals & More – Artist Donna Klein will do caricature drawings of you and your hounds from 12:00 to 2:00pm (this is FREE for all attendees).
• 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.
• FirstMate Pet Foods – Family owned and operated in Canada, FirstMate offers veterinarian formulated, high quality pet food options in both grain friendly and grain free varieties. We are so grateful to them for their food sample donation that will be in the participant ‘swag bags.’
• Images on the Run – Tim Hawk and Team from Images on the Run are our official photographers for ‘Bark at the Parx. Make sure to stop by their table to book a private photo session with them!
• Kani Kouture – Brianna from Kani Kouture will be at the event selling fabulous dog harnesses and accessories. 
• Let’s Roam – Embark on unforgettable scavenger hunts and create lasting memories in cities worldwide! 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 – A family owned and operated independent pet specialty store located in Trappe, PA. They have been in operation for over 20 years and have everything you need for your dogs and cats! We are so grateful to PVPE for helping us secure donations that will be in the participant ‘swag bags.’
• Philadelphia Animal Specialty & Emergency  (PASE) – Rebecca and our friends from PASE will be on site with a vendor booth 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 to 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 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 donation that will be in the participant ‘swag bags.’
• Reading Fightin’ Phils – Minor league baseball team based in Reading, PA. 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.
• 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.
• String of Pearls – Personalized gifts for you and yours with orders benefiting animals in need. They made a raffle donation for our event.
• Subaru – Subaru loves pets! And we are so grateful to them for their donations of items 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.
• 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 donation that will be in the participant ‘swag bags.’