A Dog Day Afternoon

Presented my Mix 96.5 @Carrier Park, West Asheville

Dog central, dog haven, all things dogs;  a dog owners dream. Of course this would be a fabulous event!  Hosted on a Sunday afternoon in late September, Asheville Radio Group’s Mix 96.5 knows what they are doing. Procure our awesome West Asheville park: Carrier Park, get a bunch of really cool sponsors and make an event that is all about the local’s Dogs.
 
I’m an animal lover in general and dogs just make me….well…happy. There is something So pure in their joy that resonates as a Life example. If we could only be as happy and grateful as our pups? Right? Dog owners know this: it’s like a cult, the snuggling, the accessorizing, the training, the feeding and cleaning, even walking your dog…the list goes on and on. On a recent outing downtown,  A friend said to a fellow dog owner, “Oh, I always recognize a dog, not the owner.”  I was mortified. You can’t say that to people, I told her!!!  Oh, but: Yes, yes you can.! I was quickly schooled that this IS a common a statement;  a language or dialect within the dog world, a language in which I’m not familiar, obviously, but working on.  

So, Dog Day Afternoon: this was the third year for this event, though, it was my first time in attendance. Seeing that I’m not a Canine owner myself, I piggy backed with a friend who Does have a dog, more so to share the experience, but to also feel part of this “dog world” while enjoying all the great things going on, for dogs…and dog owners.
 
And, it was Really impressive! The park was loaded with people and their pups. The Asheville Humane Alliance and Brother Wolf were there as beneficiaries along with booth displays and dogs/puppies for adoption. There was live music from The 96.5 House Band, dog contests, vendor booths, samples, free stuff, dog art, dog tattoos, food and beer. Seriously, how cool??!!!  

      
Stand outs:
Fly Avl: The Asheville Airport had a Great photo booth with costumes and goggles for both pooch and owner. The Patton Ave Pet Company had a dog print/dog art station: taking colorful imprints of your dogs paws. Pet Supermarket had temporary dog tattoos, which was Awesome seeing so many dogs sporting the colorful décor from shapes to leopard spots.  And, my favorite competition had to be the “fastest dog in Asheville.”

For Us Bipeds: Sierra Nevada and Oskar Blues each had beer booths and were giving away free koozies (got to love free swag!) And, in addition to the Nathan’s hot dog cart, Farm to Fender– an amazing and popular local food truck – was offering smoked brisket sandwiches, wings, and lots of other deliciousness. Yumm! 

So, if you love dogs, own a pup or two yourself, and you missed out on this event: mark your calendars for next year! You wont want to miss it!