At the invitation of Martha Gilpin, Astoria Parks Alliance (APA) and Alexia Vullis, Astoria Dog Owners Group (ADOG), Whiskers Holistic Petcare is leading this year’s Shore Fest Pet Costume Parade on Sunday, August 5, starting at 1 p.m. at the shore side of Astoria Park. Whiskers is a 24-year-old specialty retailer for natural and alternative pet care practices and products, with a two-year-old store on Ditmars Boulevard and 21st Street in Astoria, as well as in the East Village in Manhattan.

Judging the Pet Parade will be bloggers from the popular WeHeartAstoria.com, run by Meg Costner, Mackenzi Farquhar and Judith Klein; @TastoriaQueens written by food critic and blogger Sue Yacka; Tony Leporati from the APA; and Valentin Mosneguta, an original founder of ADOG.

There will be two grand prize winners of the Shore Fest 2012 Pet Star costume contest, who will each receive a $100 gift certificate to Whiskers Holistic Petcare in Astoria, plus a day at the spa at Whiskers Natural Pet Grooming salon. Two runnerups will each receive a $50 gift certificate to the Whiskers Astoria store.