ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Paws in the Park returns to Oronoco Bay Park on Sunday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria says this year's Rescue Row will be the largest in the festival's history.
More than 20 animal rescues and welfare organizations will be on-site with adoptable animals, according to the AWLA. Rescue Row is sponsored by First Georgetown Securities.
The festival is free and open to leashed, well-behaved pets of all kinds. The first 1,000 attendees get a swag bag.
This year's event also marks the AWLA's 80th anniversary. The league, founded in 1946, runs the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter and provides animal care, control and protection under contract with the city. The AWLA said there will be special 80th anniversary merchandise at the festival.
"We celebrate the love we share with our animals every day," CEO Stella Hanly said in the announcement, "and Paws in the Park is one of our favorite ways to connect with that community, meet a lot of amazing pet families, and raise awareness and funds for Alexandria's animals."
Main stage entertainment starts at 11 a.m. and includes Katie & Logan and the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia, along with the pet costume contest, sponsored by realtor Bobby Mahoney and Corcoran McEnearney. Prizes go to the spookiest, funniest and most creative costumes. Registration is open.
The silent auction opened Thursday and runs through event day. Items include a round-trip flight for a person and their dog on RetrievAir, a signed Taylor Swift guitar and a seven-day Outer Banks vacation.
The festival will also have local artisans, animal-focused businesses, nonprofits, and food and beverage vendors. A family fun tent will offer arts, crafts and activities for children. Attendees can bring a picnic.
Proceeds from the silent auction and costume contest go to the AWLA.
Details and the full schedule are at pawsintheparkva.com. Texting "PAWS" to 833-360-5466 sets an event reminder.
Ryan Belmore is an Alexandria resident and the founder and publisher of The Alexandria Brief. Send tips, feedback, and story ideas to ryan@alexandriabrief.com.
