Dog Day Afternoon coming to town Aug. 24
By Dan Domsic
A long-standing Hamilton County event is coming to Fishers this August, and it is bringing foot – and paw – traffic with it.
The Humane Society for Hamilton County is holding its biggest event, Dog Day Afternoon featuring Woofstock, in Fishers on Aug. 24 at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater, 6 Municipal Dr.
“The day is a celebration of all things canine, understanding the proceeds, that a lot of money we raise will help, of course, the cats and dogs,” Rebecca Stevens, Humane Society of Hamilton County executive director and Fishers resident, said.
Stevens said the organization expects 4,000 attendees, as well as 500 to 1,000 pooches on the premises.
In addition to the people and pooches, she said some pet-owners bring their cats out for the event in strollers.
“A lot of people would actually come out with their cats, which is a hoot, because you see them pushing a stroller with this cat that’s harnessed in,” she said.
An event that features live music, kids’ activities, food and vendors, it will be held in Fishers for the first time this year after being held in various locations in Carmel and what was called at the time the Verizon Wireless Music Center, now Klipsch Music Center, in Noblesville.
Why move to Fishers?
“We wanted to celebrate in all of the different areas if possible,” she said. “This is a brand-new venue, essentially. I’m biased, I live in Fishers. I thought, Let’s check out this venue and let’s do it here. Let’s give everybody an opportunity.”
She said that there is sometimes a perception that the organization is a Noblesville shelter, when in actuality it serves the entire county.
Tony Elliot, Town of Fishers director of parks and recreation, said the Humane Society’s event will add diversity to programming with many summer events at the amphitheater being geared specifically toward music.
“It might very well be our largest event of the whole summer,” he said.
But hosting large events at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater won’t be a new challenge for the town to handle.
Elliot said the biggest crowd for the Fishers Summer Concert Series held on Tuesday nights hit 4,500 people.
“It’s (Humane Society for Hamilton County) a group that we have a tremendous amount of respect for,” he said.
Whatever size crowd comes out, everyone will have plenty to do.
The Kid’s Corner will include Silly Safaris, which features different kinds of animals, including reptiles. Of course, live music takes the stage all day, and food and vendors will be on the scene. Activities for pooches, including paw-painting, will be available as well.
“There’s something for everybody, literally as cheesy as that sounds,” Stevens said, “and for a very inexpensive cost to spend a Saturday helping out animals who are less fortunate.”
One of the day’s events, the Starbucks Parade of Paws, is a “solidarity walk” that raises money for the organization’s Survivor Program, which provides animals with lifesaving care, whether they were hit by a car or need treatment for heart worms, according to Stevens.
People can raise money online by donating or creating their own page at www.crowdrise.com/pop2013.
What’s Stevens’ favorite part of the whole experience?
Recognizing happy, adopted dogs from the Humane Society for Hamilton County.
To learn more about the event, including Parade of Paws, visit www.ddawoofstock.com.
Infobox: Dog Day Afternoon featuring Woofstock
– Starbucks Parade of Paws registration starts at 12:45 p.m., and the event starts at 1:30 p.m.
– Dog Day Afternoon featuring Woofstock starts at 2 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m.
– Admission is $5 for per person, unless you raised funds for Parade of Paws, are 10-years-old or younger or you’re a member of the military with ID. There is no admission fee for Parade of Paws, according to Stevens.
– Well-behaved (and vaccinated) dogs and cats are welcome, but please use a 6-foot leash.
Meet Rebecca Stevens
Age: 44
Title with Humane Society for Hamilton County: Executive Director
How long she’s been with the organization: eight years
Hometown: Indianapolis