AUTHOR’S NOTE: I was allowed access to the festival on a media pass.
This post documents my experience on September 10, 2017.
********************
Early Sunday morning, I headed to the Cleveland Metroparks Polo Field…
…as festival goers brought their pooches…
…to a special event called Woofstock.
Fortunately, I had arrived early enough to see several dogs in costume…
…as they were lined up…
…to not only be photographed by admirers (such as myself)…
…but to be judged in a costume contest (notice the Headless Horseman on the left)…
…by judges that included “Charlie” and “Poundcake” from local radio shows…
…as well as Skipper of the Lake County Captains.
Around the grounds, while there were some things for humans to do…
…such as dog fortunes, the smooch booth (at least I’m guessing the human paid for dog kisses)…
…a raffle…
…a stage for entertainment…
…and various food options…
…attractions like the Scent Trail…
(…which had all sorts of scents placed about…)
…all the games and challenges…
…water stations…
…poop bags…
…and trees were all for the dogs.
Even Vendor’s Rrrrow concentrated on dogs…
…whether by celebrating them through attire…
…immortalizing them through painted portraits…
…accessorizing them with bow ties and bandannas…
…grooming them (Aussie Pet Mobile)…
…pampering them (The Barkley)…
…treating them (Woof)…
…communicating with them (Doris Straka)…
…or just keeping them healthy (VCA Great Lakes).
There were even services for when old age or tragedy got the better of them (DeJohn Pet Services).
But on a happier note, there was also Rescue Rrrrow…
…where area shelters (Rescue Village/Parma Animal)…
…and rescue groups (Doberman Underground) helped find forever homes for pooches.