Get ready to bring your well-behaved, leashed furry four-legged pals and the kids to Paws in the Park in Alexandria.
“Paws in the Park is totally family and pet-friendly. It’s also free! The day is filled with shopping, live music for kids and adults, plus other entertainment like our Silent Auction and Family Fun Tent, which is sponsored by St. Stephen’s St. Agnes School,” says Stella Hanly, executive director of the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. “Paws in the Park is a blast for everyone — including our four-legged friends.”
The Sunday, October 13, festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Oronoco Bay Park in Old Town. The park is at 100 Madison St.
Here’s What’s Planned
The Animal Welfare League of Alexandria promises this year’s event will be bigger than in previous years.
Paws in the Park, sponsored by Amazon, features adoptable animals, entertainment for all ages, and a pet Halloween costume contest. Food trucks, wineries, breweries, and cideries will be on hand, as will area artists, vendors, and nonprofits.
If you are one of the first 1,000 attendees, you’ll get a one-of-a-kind swag bag.
More than 10 animal welfare organizations and rescues plan to have adoptable animals available on Rescue Row, sponsored by First Georgetown Securities, Inc.
Uno Dos Tres Andres, a bilingual music group, takes the stage at 11:30 a.m. and Katie and Logan perform at 2:45 p.m. At 1:30 p.m. is the pet costume contest, back for its second year. You do need to register and donate $25 to participate in the costume contest.
“Last year we saw incredibly fun, funny, and creative costumes. We expect this year, sponsored by PetMedic, to be even better! Adults and kids alike will get a huge kick out of seeing the animals (and maybe even their humans) dressed up,” says Erin Shackelford, AWLA’s marketing and communications specialist. A committee votes on the top three category winners, while applause will determine the crowd favorite.
How Paws in the Park Helps Animals
While Paws in the Park aims to raise awareness about the animals in need and promote adoptions, it does more, Shackelford says.
“The proceeds from this event also support our many community programs that help keep animals where they belong – with their loving families. Community programs, like our pet pantry, low and no-cost vaccine and microchip clinics, spay and neuter vouchers, behavior and training advice, emergency boarding and more, provide a network of support to animals and their families,” she says.
More than 60 percent of AWLA’s budget comes from public donations. Yearly, the shelter cares for more than 2,000 animals. The costs of food, shelter, medical care, and behavior training all add up, Shackelford says.
Paws in the Park raised more than $100,000 last year from the sponsors, vendors, merchandise and AWLA calendar sales, pet costume registrations, donations, and a silent auction that’s already started.
Bidding at the auction is already underway on a number of items, including the following:
- An American flag flown over the U.S. Capitol
- A VIP pet retreat at AKA Alexandria
- Family-friendly adventures like scavenger hunts, escape rooms, and tickets to the Spy Museum
- Custom pet portraits and photography sessions
- Dog gym memberships and people fitness memberships
- Beauty and wellness packages
- A two-hour sailing lesson with three friends
- A wine lover’s package from the Artisanal Wine Club
- Cat condo sponsorships
Feature image of Paws in the Park courtesy Animal Welfare League of Alexandria
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