Oct. 16, 2003 — All day Sunday, Oct. 19, Latitude 18 will play host to a bevy of fun and entertaining activities that will help in raising money and awareness for the Humane Society and the animals that are available for adoption: the "Barktoberfest."
Beginning at 11 a.m. and ending with music at 7 p.m., Latitude 18 (located on the East End, near Vessup Beach) will be serving food all day with a sumptuous brunch/lunch, with 10 percent of the proceeds benefiting the Humane Society. It's sponsored by Cape Air and Latitude 19, and beverages have been donated by the West Indies Corporation.
Activities include vendors selling their wares around the parking lot perimeter, live entertainment, a dog parade, dog contests, a mini-golf tournament, $2 beers until they run out and tons of animal camaraderie! A $10 donation at the entrance allows all participants to enter their pets in a variety of contests such as "Best Trick" and "Best Costume." All supporters will have a chance to win prizes for $5 each ticket in a raffle drawing for round-trip tickets to San Juan, St. Croix or Tortola and room nights at participating hotels on each island, plus much, much more. Around noon, there will be music by Morgan and T-Bird as well as yips and yaps from the adorable pups that will be on show in the garden. A dog trainer and groomer — Debbie's Dedicated Dogs — will be on hand to give demonstrations and to help give prospective new parents a hand in understanding their new pooch. Shelter dogs will be presented in a special parade wearing red collars to identify them as available for adoption. A representative from the Canine Unit will be available for a demonstration and to answer questions.
Shelter staff and board members will be on hand to provide information about the adoption process, tips on pet training, information about the new shelter and other animal related topics.
Cape Air's Caribbean community relations representative Lisa Schmid, an animal enthusiast and owner of a shelter dog, will be handing out Cape Air prizes. "Cape Air has so many canine passengers throughout our 16 destinations," Schmid said, "it is only fitting that we would support a cause that encourages animal adoption and care." She added, "We treat all our passengers with great respect and care, but some of the four-legged ones do receive special treatment on occasion with dog-bones and treats."
The proceeds from this event will support the educational program of the Humane Society and go toward the new building fund.
For more information or to reserve a booth, contact Barktoberfest chairperson Cara Hinton at 775-9000(work) or 715-1379 (home).
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