ANIMAL CELEBS AT THE PARK NEWHALL TO PRESENT 10TH BEASTLY EVENT.

Byline: Sharon Cotal Staff Writer

NEWHALL - Not only will Sunday's fair at Hart Park offer visitors an opportunity to hobnob with Hollywood stars, they will be able to pat their heads, scratch behind their ears and run fingers through the hair of these notable actors.

The celebrities available for pampering are animal actors from movies and television shows, on hand for the 10th annual Animal Fair scheduled from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Newhall park.

Besides the actors, the fair will feature wild and exotic animals borrowed from Hollywood studios, animals from America's Teaching Zoo at Moorpark College, and a petting zoo with ``all the little animals that kids love to touch and feel,'' said Tina Nuss, the park's recreational services supervisor.

Admission to the fair is free, and the petting zoo, pony rides, rock climbing slide and other activities will be offered at nominal fees, with all proceeds going to the care and feeding of the park's resident bison herd and barnyard animals.

Exhibitors from local pet stores, pet rescue organizations and other animal-related groups will have booths set up in the ``Pet Palace,'' also known as Hart Hall, during the event. Castaic Animal Shelter representatives will be on hand to present dogs and cats that are available for adoption.

New to this year's fair is the California Frisbee Dog Challenge, a competition in which dogs and their handlers are judged on distance, height and difficulty during a game of catch with a Frisbee.

Local Frisbee fanatics are encouraged to register for a fee of $10 for novices, $15 for intermediates and $20 for open divisions. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.; the competition starts half an hour later at 10.

Hart Park is in Newhall at 24151 San Fernando Road. For information on the fair or to register for the Frisbee competition, call Tina Nuss at [phone].