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First Wednesday street party next week
Aug. 4 theme is 'Dog Days of summer'

by Dolores Fox Ciardelli

Calling all dog lovers. Next week's First Wednesday in downtown Pleasanton is themed "Dog Days of Summer" and will kick off at 6 p.m. Aug. 4 with a Pooch Parade up Main Street beginning at Abbie.

As the summer progresses, Pleasanton Downtown Association continues to improve its popular street party.

"The fourth First Wednesday has been tweaked a bit," said Alisha Perdue, PDA events coordinator.

One new feature will be the family area at the north end of Main Street, in front of the Pleasanton Hotel, Main Street Brewery, Emilio's, Oasis and the Rose Hotel. Main Street will be closed to Del Valle Parkway.

"We will not extend the booth space but are removing the family area out of the beer and wine area to the north end," said Perdue.

She hopes to provide live entertainment in the family area as well as other activities.

Another change is that the Beer and Wine Garden in the Round Table Pizza parking lot will no longer have seating.

"Plus no dogs will be allowed," Perdue said.

Pleasanton police suggested the "no animals policy' in the Beer and Wine Garden as it became more crowded each month, she explained, although dogs are still welcome at the rest of the event.

"We like downtown to be dog friendly," Perdue said, "but we were getting to the point where it was becoming dangerous for the animals."

Also some people became afraid if a dog barked, she noted. "We are trying to prevent anything from happening."

The Pooch Paraders will gather at 5 p.m. at Lions Wayside Park on First Street, and goodie bags will be given to the first 150 entries. The cost is $10 entry per category to benefit Tri Valley Guide Dog Puppy Raisers.

Judging will be done at the park in seven categories: Most Creative Costume; Cuted Enough As Is (naked pooch under 30 pounds); Best Team Outfit (human and pooch); Cute Enough As Is (naked pooch over 30 pounds); Puppy Fun (pooches under 2); Senior Pooch (10 years and older); and Best Trick (all ages). Entry forms are at trivalleyguidedogs.com.

The featured band in the Beer and Wine Garden will be Public Eye playing rock 'n' roll hits from the '60s through today.