by Dennis Dalman
Once again, on Sept. 7 at St. Cloud’s Wilson Park, “Woofstock” will take place – a groovy, far-out celebration of animals and their humans sponsored by the Tri-County Humane Society.
The celebration and the people-animal walk fundraiser will occur between 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the park. Everyone is welcome to attend “Woofstock,” a clever take-off on “Woodstock,” the famous “hippy” music festival that took place in New York almost 60 years ago.
At “Woofstock,” many of the participants – people and animals alike – wear hippy garb such as tie-dyed fabrics, bells and beads, love symbols and so forth.
This is the 36th annual companion-walk fundraiser for TCHS, one of its major fundraisers every summer. This event happens to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the founding of TCHS in East St. Cloud.
“Woofstock” will feature vendors, games, arts-and-crafts, a reptile booth, a raffle, costume contests for both pets and people, and plenty of food and beverages – not to mention the walk through a residential area next to Wilson Park.
There will also be a photo booth where people and pets can get their pictures taken next to Shasta, a vintage Volkswagen bus.
The non-profit TCHS animal shelter accepts about 5,000 animals every year – many of them abandoned or abused, lost or surrendered by owners. Earlier this year, TCHS took in dozens of cats who had been found starving, injured and neglected at a house in Crosby. TCHS has an excellent record of finding adoptive forever homes for cats, dogs and other animals that wouldn’t stand a chance were it not for TCHS’s dedicated staff and the tender-loving care they lavish on so many critters.
To learn more about “Woofstock” and how to help support the animals at TCHS, visit www.tricountyhumanesociety.org/walk. Anyone who would like to take part in the fundraising walk can register on the day of the event.
Wilson Park is located in East St. Cloud right next to the Mississippi River, across the river from the St. Cloud Hospital area. The address is 625 Riverside Drive NE.
Dogs and their humans start out on a “Companion Walk” at a previous event at Wilson Park in East St. Cloud. The annual fundraiser by the Tri-County Humane Society raises funds to help treat animals and to find them happy homes. This season’s annual walk, dubbed “Woofstock” will take place Saturday, Sept. 7.
