Interlaken, NY) Americana Vineyards Winery reminds pet owners and animal lovers alike that Woofstock, their annual rescue and shelter benefit is this Saturday, June 8, from 12:00pm to 7:00pm at the winery. Organizers have added even more events, vendors and competitions to an already jam-packed day of fun while raising money and supplies for the following 5 rescue programs Pet the Pet Program, Fetch a Friend Rescue, Browncoat Cat Rescue, Cortland Community SPCA and Brindle Posse Rescue.
"We are excited to add a series of demos for dog owners to watch and for their dogs to participate in this year," said charismatic winery owner and event founder, Joe Gober, Jr. "Go Dog Go, which is a collaborative of animal care professionals out of Ithaca, will be doing three scent work demos and three mini-rallies -- which is obedience on command at various predetermined stations -- alternating all afternoon at their area. After the rally demos, 4-legged audience members will be invited to try the course themselves!"
The schedule for the demos and rallies is:
Scent Work Demo: 1:30, 3:00, 5:00
Mini Rally: 1:00, 2:30, 5:30
Also for the dogs, the new My Dog's Got Talent Show is adding another category: Best Dressed. There is no theme, just dress to impress, organizers suggest. This is in addition to the Best Trick/Talent category, where dogs will be able to show off their performance skills and unique talents. Entry into the dog show is also $5, and the both categories will be judged by a panel of local celebrity judges. Registration opens at 2:00pm, line-up at 3:45pm, and the show goes off at 4:15pm. After the official show, attendees will have the opportunity to vote on Best in Show. Winners in all three categories will be announced and prizes awarded at 6:30pm.
There's also something new for two-legged competitors : the Blind Draw Charity Cornhole Tournament. Cornhole players can compete for cash and gift prizes. Registration opens at 2:00pm, teams will be drawn at 2:45pm and the bags fly at 3:00pm. Entry is $10 per person with half going into the prize pool and half to the rescues of Woofstock. Kids and adults can also play cornhole just for fun, using their Doggone Fun tickets.
The day-long benefit consists of plenty of family-friendly and pet-friendly games, vendors, music, food, drink and fun. The rescues will all be on hand to discuss their programs and pet adoption -- and allow everyone to cuddle with their "pet adoption ambassadors." And there will be plenty of fundraisers all day including 2 sessions of Pick-A-Prize raffles, 50-50s, Walk-Around basket raffles and the popular FLX Getaways live auctions.
The live music, which will play all day in the outdoor Pavilion, has been generously donated by area musicians for the cause. The bands for the day are El Caminos, Purple Valley, and The Tarps who will each play 2-hour sets in the Pavilion, starting at noon, with The Tarps playing through until 8:00pm.
There is no cost to attend, but everyone is asked to bring cash and pet supply donations, for which they'll receive Doggone Fun Tickets in a dollar for dollar exchange at the gate. These tickets can be used for wine tastings, beer flights and wine slushies, a pick-a-prize raffles, dog talent show votes, kids games, bounce house and kid-friendly foods and drinks.
Organizers suggest people bring their own folding chairs or blankets and claim an area on the back lawn as their own for the day. They also remind people that their children and dogs must never be left unattended, and the pooches must be on leash at all times, except when running the agility course, playing in the dog park or swimming in the pond.
"Whether you can only spend a few hours with us or are coming for the whole day, there will be tons of fun for everyone -- kids, pooches and animal lovers," said Gober. "And you'll be helping a great cause while you're having a great time! Every year this event just gets bigger. And better!" A full schedule of festivities and updates are be available on Americana's website, the Woofstock FLX website or the winery's Facebook Event listing.
For people who can't make it that day, donations are already being accepted at the winery in the form of $1 Paws for the Cause and on their Woofstock Gofundme page. And people can follow along that day on Mav's & Lil's -- the winery's rescue dogs turned winery ambassadors -- Instagram page or the Winery's Facebook page.
