Come on out and join me at “Woofstock!”
Animal Care Sanctuary works with dogs, getting them ready for adoption into their forever homes.
Oh boy! I can’t wait until “Woofstock!”
“Woofstock” logo designed by Julie Kassak.
“Are you going to Woofstock?” asked one old timer of another.
“Woofstock?” was the reply. “Don’t you mean Woodstock?”
“Not Woodstock! That was 46 years ago!” the old timer said to his friend. “Woofstock is happening THIS YEAR!”
Those “old timers” were around in August 1969 when the three-day music festival that rocked the world took place in upstate New York. The original “Woodstock” was called 3 Days of Peace and Music, and drew in 400,000 people.
Later this month, right here in Bradford County, a music festival is going to take place at Animal Care Sanctuary (ACS). The first annual “Woofstock” Music Festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 26, from 3 to 8 p.m. at ACS in East Smithfield.
Events will include live music, beer tasting, hayrides, fresh apple cider, food vendors, Bradford County Dairy Princess with ice cream, adoptable dogs on parade, and much more. In addition to the live music, there will be live radio broadcast from 3 to 5 p.m. There will be tours of the ACS facility including the cattery and the canine care enrichment building.
“Woofstock” isn’t just for the old timers; it’s for people of all ages. There will be supervised activities for children in the barn. Some of the special art activities for children include pumpkin decorating and other take home projects.
Those attending are encouraged to bring their own chairs or blankets for seating. It will be a great time for enjoying the music and great countryside views, while dancing or singing along. Like the original “Woodstock” it promises to be a time of “Peace and Music.”
Live music will be performed by Lando On Fire, a classic and modern rock band from the Twin Tiers; Justin Raynor with Chris Warren, an acoustic mix of country and southern rock; Janelle Daddona, a soulful performer who puts a new twist on old songs; and Spexxx, professional classic rockers whose signature traits are vocal harmonies and danceable grooves.
The cost for all of this is $10 per person, with children age 12 and under admitted free of charge. Tickets can be purchased on line at www.animalcaresanctuary.org or at the sanctuary the day of the event. For more information call (570) 596-2200. All proceeds from “Woofstock” will be going into ACS to help care for over 500 animals awaiting their forever homes.
Last winter, during one of those nasty deep freezes, Sarah Hamburger and her canine care team at ACS were brainstorming ideas for fundraisers.
“The love I have for music and the arts inspired the idea of having a music festival,” said Hamburger.
The team kept brainstorming, coming up with all the things that could be included in such an event. When “Woodstock” came to mind, the idea to call it “Woofstock” popped out!
Hamburger thought fall would be a great time for an outdoor music festival.
“The idea was to get people to come up here and see how beautiful it is here,” said Hamburger. “And to create an awareness of what we do for the community.”
They wanted to keep the cost of attending to a minimum to make it a nice family outing, as well as a day of learning about the animals and the facility at ACS. It is especially beautiful at ACS in the fall because of the hillsides full of the changing colors of the season. The canine care team also wanted to promote local people and businesses in the community by including local breweries, vendors, and talent in the festival.
“We want to give back to the community,” added Hamburger.
The original “Woodstock” was viewed as a pivotal moment in popular music history, changing the history of rock and roll. Whether or not you remember the music at Woodstock, come out and enjoy some great local talent at “Woofstock.” Your support will help change the history of the shelter animals, giving them the gift of a better life.
