What’s coming up this weekend? Woofstock 2012

If it’s almost fall, it’s time for an annual tradition in Damariscotta, Woofstock! The organizers of this year’s Woofstock sent along a press release.

It Reads:

Midcoast’s largest festival for pets, Woofstock 2012, changed venues this year. It will be hosted at the Damariscotta River Association at 110 Belvedere Road in Damariscotta, on Saturday, September 8th from 10 am-4 pm. Now in its 8th year, Woofstock was held at the Lincoln Home and the Round Top Farm in previous years.

Due to space constraints and the ever-growing size of the event, the DRA site was selected this year. Located on the scenic Great Salt Bay, the DRA offers beautiful views, ample parking, and plenty of room for people and pets to gather. Woofstock 2012 opens at 10:00 am with a Parade of Breeds.

Followed by:

• Flyball demonstration by Flyball MAINEiacs at 10:30 am.
• Agility Demonstration at 11:00 am with Positively Best Friends.
• Agility Run-Throughs open to Woofstock attendees from 11:30 am – 12:30 pm.
• Rally Obedience with Right on the Mark Dog Training at 12:30 pm.
• Canine Good Citizen Testing at 1:00 pm. Canine Good Citizen testing offered throughout the day at the table for Kennebec Valley Shetland Sheepdog Rescue.
• Disc Dog at 2:00 pm.
• From 12:00 – 2:00 pm, the Holy Mackerels will play live music, a first for Woofstock.

“It’s such a fun event! The Holy Mackerels came highly recommended by Woofstock sponsor King Eider’s Pub, so we thought it would be a great match,” said Animal House co-owner and Woofstock Coordinator Aubrey Martin.

Holy Mackerel vocalist and guitarist Mark Stover is a huge pet lover. He supports the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, which prompted them to accept the gig. The scheduled lineup for The Holy Mackerels includes Mark Stover, Arthur Webster, Gabe Tonon, and Ronny Arsenault.

King Eider will serve the food for Woofstock attendees. Known for their wide selection of dishes, Eider’s created a Woofstock menu including vegetarian and vegan options, and gelato for dessert.

New this year at Woofstock is the option for childcare at the Kids’ Craft Tent. For a small donation, caregivers watch children ages 6 weeks to 10 years, while parents make their way around the festival. The tent has fencing and a security feature to ensure safety for the children.

The tent is also open to parents who opt to stay. It includes animal-related crafts and games, including “Make Your Own Pet Rock,” back by popular demand. Woofstock vendor and rescue spaces were reserved at a record pace this year, reports Martin.

There are over 40 pet-related vendors this year, including a whole area on tick prevention, Lyme disease, and other tick-related illnesses. There will be 14 rescues and shelters in attendance, all offering services like microchipping, face painting, a dunk tank, and pet games. This will absolutely be the biggest year yet.

All proceeds from Woofstock are split between the rescues and shelters. The individual organizations also keep the profits they make at their own tables from the services they offer, the items they sell, and donations. It can add up to be a very important day for them. Plus, they get an opportunity to meet with people interested in adoption, volunteering, and fostering, which is really beneficial.

The rescues & shelters scheduled to attend Woofstock include:

• Lincoln County Animal Shelter
• Humane Society of Knox County
• Maine Greyhound Placement Service
• Kennebec Valley Shetland Sheepdog Rescue
• Mainely Dogs Rescue
• Second Chance Boxer Rescue
• New Life Boxer Rescue
• A Paw in the Door
• New England Border Collie Rescue
• CT Underhound Railroad
• Lucky Pup Rescue
• Almost Home Rescue
• Catahoula Rescue, Inc.
• Maine Australian Shepherd & Mini Aussie Rescue
• SOME Pit!

Woofstock 2012 is presented by The Animal House and SUDS! Grooming, a long-time advocate of rescue and adoption, located at 15 Coastal Marketplace in Damariscotta. This award-winning business features healthy food and supplies for companion animals, including the largest selection of remedies and homeopathy in the state.

Admission is $10 per person. Children under 12 are free. With every paid admission, attendees receive a bag of free samples and goodies offered by the vendors and rescues. For more information, including a list of vendors, directions, and a schedule of events, visit the website created by Dan Martin Designs at www.woofstockmaine.com.