NRVT announces Mutt Strut & Friends Howl-O-Ween with Virtual and In-person Events
The Norwalk River Valley Trail (NRVT) is bringing its signature event back to the community for the fourth time and this time with a theme! “Mutt Strut & Friends Howl-O-Ween Edition”, a family- and user-friendly event, will be held virtually and in-person this month.
For the virtual contest, The NRVT is featuring all things Halloween! Spooky, funny, scary, or cute, everyone is encouraged to showcase their pet October 1st and thru October 20th with their own online page.
There is no fee to enter.
Entrants can go to https://www.nrvt-trail.com/muttstrut to create a pet page.
Pages are created to post favorite pictures of dogs (or other furry friends - cats, ferrets, bunnies, etc.), share a short video, and encourage friends and family to “vote” with a contribution.
The virtual contest offers fun for the whole family and the chance to win big prizes. Prize categories include:
Top Dog - This is the pet that gets the giant trophy (and props) at our awards ceremony (as it should be for raising the most $$$) in addition to a pet goodie basket valued at $150.
Most Fans - The pet with the most individual contributors will be designated our ‘Fan Favorite’ and receive a prize basket valued at $100.
Best Video - Who’s ready for prime time? This pet’s cameo will say it all and receive a prize basket value of $100.
Best Image - A picture says a thousand words and the most expressive pet online will win a prize basket valued at $100.
Not a fan of all that online stuff? Or want to show off your furry friend even more to help the NRVT?
There is also an in-person option. After a hiatus due to COVID, NRVT Mutt Strut & Friends will be held outside and in-person on October 22nd in three (3) locations Norwalk, Wilton, and Ridgefield from 3-5 PM. The in-person events feature contests while owners enjoy the Trail with their pets. Prizewinners for each location include:
• Best Costume
• Biggest Personality
And will be recognized at our awards ceremony with a prize basket valued from $75 - $150. Registration fee is $25 at https://www.nrvt-trail.com/muttstrut-registration-in-person .
Locations for the in-person event on October 22 are:
Norwalk
Mathews Park Parking lot
295 West Ave
Wilton
Quarry Pond Trail
Routes 7 & 106 Commuter Lot
Ridgefield
Future Ridgefield Ramble
Route 7 & Simpaug Turnpike
All prize-winning owners for both contests are invited to receive their pets’ awards and prize baskets valued at an awards reception in mid-November. Food and drinks are included.
The NRVT has received support for this event from local community members and businesses including the event’s Business Title sponsor BLT LiveWorkPlay and the Pforzheimer, Jansen, and Foster families.
During COVID, the NRVT’s trail use skyrocketed by 245% and the organization built more Trail in Wilton, Norwalk, and Redding. The NRVT has a little more than 11 miles of completed trail, three (3) more miles planned and ready to build in Ridgefield and Wilton, and recently submitted grant requests to begin in Danbury, add on in Wilton, and connect points north of Norwalk. Events like the Mutt Strut & Friends help build more community-friendly, universally accessible, multi-purpose trail.