Pooches on parade

Lolita Harper

What to wear, what to wear?

Rovers and Fidos all over the city will be mulling over that question

this morning as they prepare for the first “Paws Around the Park”

fund-raiser at Fairview Park.

The event promises the latest in four-legged fashion and canine

crazes. It will showcase activities such as a costume contest, two walks,

commemorative photos, an agility course and parade. It is sponsored by

the city’s Fairview Park Friends Committee.

Although the event is for the dogs, people are more than welcome,

coordinators said. Less emphasis will be paid to a human’s wardrobe and

more to their checkbooks. After all, the event was created to raise money

for a new dog park slated for Fairview Park.

Mayor Linda Dixon will be there, sans pooches.

“My dogs have other plans for the morning, I’m afraid,” Dixon joked.

But seriously, the self-proclaimed animal lover fully supports efforts

to raise money for another dog park -- TeWinkle Park already has an area

set aside for canines -- saying such a venue affords recreation to more

residents. Dog parks are great places for humans to go to interact with

other “dog people” and a great way for owners to show they appreciate

their pets, she said.

“Pets provide that unconditional love, and a park like this lets dogs

and owners alike celebrate that,” Dixon said.

In addition to parading pooches, the event will also offer informative

information about Fairview Park in general, such as the history and

future of the massive parcel of undeveloped land. Area merchants and

sponsoring businesses will have booths set up.

FYI

What: Paws Around the Park

When: 8 a.m. today

Where: Fairview Park, off Placentia Avenue in Costa Mesa

Cost: $20 registration per dog

Information: (714) 754-5698 or www.cmfairviewpark.org