Saturday, Oct. 3 has gone to the dogs, or at least it will when the Voorhees Animal Orphanage holds its annual Woofstock at John Connolly Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event will mark the 19th year the VAO has held its pet festival fundraiser that draws area families, animal lovers and, of course, pets to the park for a day of fun.
With music, food, vendors, K9 demonstrations, raffles and an alumni parade featuring pets previously adopted from the shelter, VAO Director Dawn Mason said this year’s event will be huge.
“I think it’s going to be the biggest year yet for vendors,” Mason said. “We have 96 vendors, and we still have people calling us to be a vendor even though our deadline was Sept. 15.”
Also returning to the festival will be $25 micro-chipping from County Line Veterinary Hospital and animal communicator Dr. Elizabeth Severino. New this year is live music, with local Grateful Dead and Nirvana cover bands.
“We’ve always had a stage and we never really utilized it other than putting a DJ up there, so it just made sense to have some live music up there for a change,” Mason said.
Also returning to the festival is master chef Joseph Poon, who has previously been featured on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “The Tonight Show.”
Mason said the food at this year’s event will feature selections from mobile food trucks from Philadelphia, adding a new element to the event with types of cuisine from Thai food to pulled roast pork.
“It’s going to be like being in the city, especially if you like that sort of thing,” Mason said.
According to Mason, the Voorhees Police Department’s K9 unit will be joining the event for the first time this year for demonstrations on how the department trains its most furry of officers.
“It’s going to be a half-hour demonstration, and it’s a really good education to see what these dogs go through and how they’re being trained and how intelligent they are,” Mason said.
As in years past, Mason said there will be plenty of activities on hand to entertain kids, from local balloon artists and clown Beep-Beep, to face painting and pumpkin painting to coloring stations.
“It will be a good time for the whole entire family,” Mason said.
With 12 to 14 staff members and dozens of volunteers, the VAO can house up to 70 dogs and 40 cats, along with volunteers who keep animals in foster care settings.
Mason said those who attend the event will directly support the VAO and its efforts.
“We’re non-profit, and you’re helping us with the medical care here, so you’re helping us with vaccinations, spaying and neutering, food — you’re helping shelters when you donate to them,” Mason said.
Admission to the event is a $1 donation, but senior citizens and children under the age of 12 enter for free. The VAO asks those who bring their dog to not use a retractable leash. Those looking for more information about Woofstock or the VAO can visit www.vaonj.org/woofstock.
