Could there have been a better way to spend that perfect Saturday? The sun came up and shone all day on what is
becoming FOTAS’ signature fund-raiser, the Woofstock Festival of Mutts and
Music. In its second year, and continuing to grow, Woofstock is yet another reflection
of a very special community.
The kick-off to the day was a parade of dogs called The Mutt
Strut, a special fund-raiser with an assortment of local celebrities, prizes,
and the opportunity to win the 64G iPad with cellular and wifi.
At the festival entrance, it was plain that no one would go
hungry. Papa Russ’ Bar-B-Q, Papa John’sPizza, Bruster’s Ice Cream, Coach T’s, and the Willcox were all on hand to
satisfy a range of appetites.
This year, the “Music” component offered live broadcast from
93.9 Bob FM, Tony B. from WKSX 92.7 FM,
and a return engagement of Aiken’s own jazz ensemble, 4 Cats in the DogHouse.
Woofstock offered so much to do and see at the event, one
might have missed the rockin’ backdrop that gave the day such a festive
feel. Tony B and “The Cats” went out of
their way to include all the dog-lyric favorites: “Hound Dog,” “Walkin’ the
Dog,” “Who Let the Dog Out?” rendered by some of the finest musicians anywhere.
In addition to the 18-plus businesses and individuals that
contributed door prizes or raffle winnings, more than forty-five vendors and
exhibitors encircled the two performance rings.
There were artisans, unique and pet-related products and services,
rescue groups and community nonprofits. Local and national businesses, too,
signed up to have a presence in front of Aiken’s dog-lovers, knowing there
probably isn’t a better group of people with whom to do business.
The centers of the rings offered a variety of dog events,
from efforts to match adoptable shelter dogs with potential homes; agility and
training demonstrations, and health and fitness exercises, to three dog
contests reminiscent of the Mutt Dog Show from Woofstock I.
Surely, the opportunity to see if one’s dog was Best Kisser,
had the Best Trick, or Best Costume had to be one of the festival
highlights. What made those contests
even more special was that the judges, Sofia, Sophia and Christian, had won
their positions as judges in the Woofstock Essay Contest. They had written responses to the question,
“What can we (Aiken County) do about all the unwanted puppies and kittens?”
That question is at the heart of FOTAS mission, as well as
six-plus months of work to create our Woofstock Festivals. Although hundreds of people contributed to
the festival’s success, there are two, without whose tireless leadership
Woofstock II would never have happened: Edie
Hubler and the late Susan Henderson. God Bless them both where they
reside.
The Woofstock Festival brings us together around a very
special cause. This year, in addition to
raising nearly $20,000 for the new County Shelter, it brought us all together
on a beautiful day to enjoy how much we can accomplish together.
FOTAS Volunteers work with the AIKEN COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER, 411 Wire Road. For more information, contact “info@fotasaiken.org” or visit FOTAS on line at
Aiken County Animal Shelter: “By the Numbers”
November 5th thru
11th
Received: 43 dogs and 21 cats!
Adopted: 18 dogs and 5
cats
Euthanized: 28 dogs and 26 cats
Aiken County Shelter “Pets of the Week!” So much LOVE for so little!
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*All adoption fees include: Spay/Neuter, heartworm
test, all shots, worming, and microchip.
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Your comments and input are always welcome. We appreciate any suggestions or thoughts that will help FOTAS with their goal to help the Aiken County Animal Shelter become a happy, healthy place that never has to euthanize an adoptable pet.