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Massive ALX Dog Walk Set for Alexandria Waterfront

Saturday, April 2, 2022, Old Town Alexandria

This lab is ready saying, "Sign me up for the Alexandria dog walk!" (Photo by Chalabala. Licensed through Adobe Stock to The Zebra Press LLC)
This lab is ready saying, “Sign me up for the Alexandria dog walk!” (Photo by Chalabala. Licensed through Adobe Stock to The Zebra Press LLC)

ALEXANDRIA, VA – Mark your calendar for the inaugural ALX Dog Walk!   Adorable dogs of every kind and from all over the DMV will gather in historic Old Town Alexandria, Saturday, April 2, 2022 for a 2-mile dog walk to raise funds to help beautify and protect the City of Alexandria’s environment and educate citizens about best sustainability practices.

“We’re so excited for the dog walk and seeing the community come together in our historic and beautiful city.  We hope the ALX Dog Walk becomes an annual tradition that allows us all to give back in a meaningful, substantial and sustainable way,” said founder and Chair of the ALX Dog Walk, Julie Chapman.

On walk day, participants check-in between 7:00 am – 7:45 am at Oronoco Bay Park in Old Town Alexandria, and walkers and their dogs (or walkers without dogs!) take a two-mile stroll along the breathtaking Waterfront Walk toward the Robinson Landing Pier where judges evaluate dogs for these award categories:  Best Groomed, Coolest Environmental Costume (plastic-free, recycled/upcycled plastic only), Funniest Personality, Biggest Ears and Fluffiest Tail.  Everyone then circles back to Oronoco Bay Park for a lively Awards Celebration of prizes, raffle drawings, music, and plenty of dog treats!

All entrants receive a t-shirt and goodie bag, and DASH bus has designated a ‘DASH Doggie Shuttle’ to bring walkers and dogs to and from the event (more details to follow).  Of special note, the walk event is a plastic free, recycled plastic event – #BYOB – bring your own water bottle!

“Our special honored guests will participate on Walk Day and include:  Honorary MC, Chuck Bell, NBC Storm Team 4 Meteorologist; Honorary Co-Chair, Monte Durham, host of ‘Say Yes to the Dress Atlanta’; and, Honorary Co-Chair Mayor Justin Wilson, City of Alexandria,” said Chapman.

“We’re also honoring area nonprofit dog-related organizations including The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (Rescue Dogs), the Blinded Veterans Association (Guide Dogs), Leashes of Valor (Service Dogs), and the Alexandria Police Foundation (Canine Dogs).  Finally, we’re honoring the Boys and Girls Club of Alexandria, our future environmental advocates,” Chapman continued.

The ALX Dog Walk, a newly formed 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, aims to help beautify and protect Alexandria’s environment and educate citizens about best sustainability practices.  Based in Alexandria, VA, the nonprofit is under the fiscal sponsorship of ACT for Alexandria, a local community foundation.

The 2022 walk event will donate 100% net funds towards two initiatives:  1) Operation Waterfront Clean-Up, a new project to clean up plastic, debris, and trash along the banks of the Potomac River; and, 2) Each year, the ALX Dog Walk will contribute to Alexandria’s tree canopy – 20 trees in 2022.

Registration opens 1/1/22 at www.alxdogwalk.com, and follow along @alxdogwalk on Facebook and Instagram.  It’s going to be a tail-wagging good time!

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Mary Wadland

Mary Wadland is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of The Zebra Press, founded by her in 2010. Originally from Delray Beach, Florida, Mary is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Hollins College in Roanoke, VA and has lived and worked in the Alexandria publishing community since 1987.

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