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Music and More for a Cause: Woofstock Aug. 13

Music lovers and animal lovers, clear your calendar and head to the Branford Green on Saturday, August 13 for the fourth annual Woofstock to benefit Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter.

With live bands, vendors, food trucks, “Woofwalk” and plenty of other activities and reasons to come out and play, Woofstock draws big crowds of fans and has grown to be the biggest event of its type in the state, said founder Ken Engleman.

“With the help of passionate volunteers, community businesses, town officials, and of course the kindness of the press, it has become Connecticut’s largest music festival dedicated to animal Welfare,” said Engleman, who originated Woofstock to benefit the shelter four years ago.

Since then, Woofstock has become an annual mainstay of fundraising support for the municipal animal shelter, which serves the towns of Branford and North Branford.

“Within four years, we have created a new annual tradition that dog owners and music lovers look forward to, vendors and sponsors request to be a part of, and popular bands ask to perform,” said Engleman.

Fundraisers for the shelter help underwrite everything from needed supplies to surgeries, medication and other needs not supported by municipal funding. The shelter’s mission is to keep all animals taken in thriving until they are adopted. A free will donation of $10 is suggested to attend Woofstock, while contributions of needed supplies such as rawhide bones, kitten food, 40 gallon garbage bags, bleach, paper towels, soccer balls, footballs and pet toys are also welcome.

To specifically assist Cosgrove Shelter’s medical fund for homeless animals, Woofstock dovetails with a pre-event, “Woofwalk" with all proceeds going to the medical fund, said Laura Burban, Cosgrove Animal Shelter Director.

"We have increased medical costs from abuse and neglect cases this year; along with an increase of abandoned animals —especially sick, elderly dogs and pregnant mom cats with sick babies," said Burban.

The walk gets underway at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 13, stepping off from the Branford green and circling back to the green. Walkers can make the approximate two-mile journey with or without their dog, said Burban.

Those who support Woofwalk with a $25 tax-deductible donation receive a T-shirt, “goodies” and a custom dog bowl for their four-legged family member. Bottled water for walks (donated by Big Y) and canine swimming pools and cooling areas will be set up along the walk. Registrations are being accepted online here , where much more information can be found.

Woofstock 2016’s top sponsoring organization is Mill Pond Veterinary Hospital of Branford (the group is also donating Woofwalks’ custom dog bowls), while supporting sponsors are Aquatic Pool and Spa and Blue Buffalo, along with ‘Tails of Joy” author Gretchen Dale and Pet Valu, noted Burban.

At noon, Woofstock gets into full swing on the Branford green. Emceed by DJ John “Cadillac” Saville, the festival’s live bands include Chewy and the Grateful Friends (12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.), Steamroller (1:45 p.m. – 3 p.m.) and Jackie Meeker and the Levitating Hubinger Extravaganza (4 p.m. – 6 p.m.).

Events and activities include the popular Woofstock Hippie Dog Costume Contest with prizes for the top three pups, (3 p.m., register for free on-line), and all-day offerings from booths featuring more than 50 vendors purveying pet products, services and crafts as well as popular food trucks and ice cream offerings and children’s activities and hula hoops.

Engleman said the success of Woofstock, which is already accepting applications from vendors and bands for 2017, is due to community support and the willingness of volunteers to work hard to benefit a great cause, noting, “...with passion and determination comes success.”

“With our Woofstock success, I hope to inspire others within Connecticut to volunteer for causes they believe in, for anything is possible with hard work, a little creativity, and a community coming together,” said Engleman. “ We are lucky to be here in Branford — it is such a fantastic, animal-supporting community.”