PRESS RELEASE: Paws in the Park Debuts in Oronoco Bay Park on Oct. 16

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Media Contact: Regina Hardter
(703) 746-5662
communications@alexandriaanimals.org

Paws in the Park Debuts in Oronoco Bay Park on Oct. 16

Previously Known as ‘Alexandria Love Your Pet Day,’ Paws in the Park Celebrates Animals to Benefit the AWLA

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (May 18, 2022) — Alexandria’s biggest pet event returns to Old Town on Sunday, Oct. 16, with a new name and even more to enjoy! Paws in the Park, formerly known as “Alexandria Love Your Pet Day,” will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Oronoco Bay Park, with activities for animal lovers of all ages, including shopping, music, adorable adoptable animals and even a food court offering food and drink from several local businesses, including Port City Brewing Company and Big Cheese.

In 2021, this festival moved to the Oronoco Bay Park location and saw more than a thousand attendees, both two-legged and four. Organized by the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria (AWLA), Paws in the Park will once again showcase adoptable animals from local shelters and rescues, goods and information from local animal-themed businesses, a variety of vendors, the AWLA’s Family Fun Tent and a mainstage chock full of acts for audiences of all ages. The Alexandria Library Foundation will sponsor the mainstage line-up, starting with bilingual music sensation Uno Dos Tres Andrés at 11:30, and featuring acts for a variety of ages throughout the day, including the jazz act Bill Cabrera and Company.

“At the AWLA, we celebrate the love that our community has for animals each and every day,” said Executive Director Stella Hanly, “but Paws in the Park is one of our favorite ways to connect with that community and meet a lot of amazing animals.”

Paws in the Park is open to leashed, well-behaved pets of all types. Proceeds from Paws in the Park benefit the AWLA, which supports homeless animals in Alexandria as well as pets and people throughout the community. Vendor spaces are still available, and more information about attending or participating in this year’s festival can be found at PawsintheParkVA.com.

Sponsors for Paws in the Park include Amazon; Vets to Pets; Walsh, Colucci, Lubeley & Walsh; Whole Dogz; WOOFS! Dog Training Center; and the Alexandria Library Foundation.

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(from left to right; high-resolution photos available upon request) 

People and pets were excited to hear that Paws in the Park, formerly Alexandria Love Your Pet Day, is returning to Oronoco Bay Park on Oct. 16.

Paws in the Park features adoptable animals from the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria as well as are rescue organizations.

Local animal-oriented businesses show off their skills at Paws in the Park.

Handmade items for pets and people can be found at Paws in the Park.

Popular bilingual music sensation Uno Dos Tres Andrés is one of the many mainstage performances for Paws in the Park attendees of all ages.

(Photos courtesy of DeSilva Studios)