Alexandria, VA – Celebrate spring and our four-legged friends at the 2nd Annual Del Ray Dog Fest on Sunday, April 14 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at George Washington Middle School. This fun, outdoor event will include dog-centered activities, live music, vendors, and food, showcasing the wide variety of dog-friendly resources in the Del Ray neighborhood of Alexandria.
Here are Zebra’s picks for can’t miss activities during the inaugural event:
Pups n Poses: Start the day with some zen. Yoga in Del Ray will host a specialized yoga class for dogs and their humans.
Fashion Show: Is your pup ready to strut on the catwalk? Show off your pup’s best look and compete to see who gets crowned Best Dressed. After the fashion show, don’t forget to snap a pose at the photo booth sponsored by Ting.
Luring Course: Test your pup’s performance, speed, agility, and endurance — and give them a chance to show off their instincts — with a “mock hunt.”
Distracted Dog Race: Can your dog make it through an entire walk without chasing a squirrel? Put their training skills to the test with a fun Distracted Dog Race hosted by Passionately Pets, featuring distractions like stinky treats, squeaking toys and rolling balls.
Canine Fitness Course: Show off your pet’s skills (and get training tips!) during a canine fitness, conditioning, and confidence course with Wholistic Hound Academy, Alexandria’s first and only training and learning center for people and their dogs.
Kids’ Zone: This event is fun for the whole family. Kids can start their festival with Storytime with PD the Pug, get their face painted, play some yard games and create a dog themed original masterpiece on canvas with The Del Ray Montessori School
Rescue Row: Meet adoptable animals and learn about fostering and volunteer opportunities from local animal rescues and non-profits.
Live Music: Enjoy live music by Rook Richards while your best friend explores the Off-Leash Puppy Playground. Richards’ eclectic mix of influences include John Mayer, Rob Thomas, Jason Isbell, Chris Stapleton, Stevie Wonder, and Kenny Loggins.
VIP (Very Important Pup!) Access: New this year is an exclusive VIP option — in addition to giving your pup early access to the fun with a smaller crowd, VIP tickets include a special Del Ray Dog Fest tote bag with extra goodies and entry to the VIP raffle.
Give Back: The ticketed event benefits the Aussie Rescue of the Mid-Atlantic, a local rescue started in Del Ray that is an all-volunteer, foster-based rescue made up of Australian Shepherd owners. Learn more at aussierescueofthemidatlantic.org
Yappy Hours: Continue the celebration with Yappy Hour after the event, and check out the dog-friendly dining destinations in Del Ray! From 3 p.m. to 6 p.m., select restaurants will offer food & drink specials for pups and their humans. The celebration wraps up with an after-party from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gustave Boulangerie et le Jardin.
The Del Ray Dog Fest is hosted by the Del Ray Business Association and presented by The Peele Group. Get your tickets and more information @delray_dogfest and www.visitdelray.com.
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