The 4th annual Dash For The Beads, a 5K Run/Walk/Costume Contest/Family and Pet-Friendly Festival, hits the pavement on Saturday, Feb. 9. The new race route will begin and end on Cedar Hill Avenue at 5th Street in Kidd Springs Park, where the after-party will occur until it spills over to the Bishop Arts District.

DASH (www.DashForTheBeads.org), is a non-profit organization that is giving its proceeds to “Finding Inspired Dog Owners”, or FIDO Oak Cliff, a group of committed volunteers who will create Oak Cliff’s first dog park. The DASH initiative was founded in 2009 by Chad West and David Sassano as a way to raise money for Oak Cliff organizations.

“We’re honored to once again contribute the Dash for the Beads’ proceeds to FIDO, in hopes that they bring a dog park to the OC real soon! The DASH is always a lot of fun for the entire family and we welcome the community to come out and run, walk, hang out in the kid’s area, or just visit the heated, Rahr beer tent!” said Chad A. West.

The certified 5K route in North Oak Cliff borders West Greenbriar Lane, Junior Drive, Combs Creek Trail, Eastus Drive and Cedar Hill Avenue (a map is attached). The route is one of the most challenging 5Ks in Dallas due to the hills of Kessler Park. Prizes will be awarded for the best-dressed walkers and runners and for the winners of the chip-timed 5k run! Registration is $25 thru Jan. 30 and $30 thru Feb. 7 for the 5K run, $20 for the one-mile walk and $15 for children. Monetary donations from those not able to participate will also be accepted. www.DashForTheBeads.org

The DASH event committee is actively seeking sponsors, volunteers and vendors for the race and street festival for annual community event.

Thanks go out to the 2013 DASH sponsors: Host Sponsor - Oak Cliff People; Mardi Gras Sponsors - Assured Self Storage, Chad West, PLLC, Gay List Daily; The Big Easy Sponsors - Advocate Magazine, Eno’s Pizza Tavern, Rahr Brewery, Sylvan | Thirty; Creole Sponsors - AssociaTitle, Clif Bar, Dave Perry Miller Realtors, Don Tapani & David Sassano, Gloria’s Restaurant, Good Space, Hewitt Habgood, Kris Martin Public Relations & Marketing, MeritCard, Oak Farms, Republic Title, Shelter Mortgage; Bayou Sponsor - 303 Bar & Grill, Anytime Fitness, David Griffin Realtors, Dee’s Doggie Den, Eric Johnson & Mark Parker, Nations Home Warranty, Robb Puckett & Jenni Stolarski/Briggs Freeman Sotheby's, Run On!, Urban Acres.

For more information on the DASH FOR THE BEADS 5K Run/One-Mile Walk/Costume Contest/Family & Pet Friendly Festival, please go to www.DashForTheBeads.org.