News

AWLA’s Paws in the Park returns in October with largest adoptable animal section to date

By Emily Leayman
Couple walking two small dogs in blue coats at a busy outdoor market with white tents in a sunny park.
Man in green shirt pets a speckled grey hunting dog in a camouflage harness on a table at a K-9 training booth under a blue canopy.
1/2

As the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, its fall festival will be bigger than ever.

Paws in the Park will return to Oronoco Bay Park, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 11. The annual event celebrates all things animals, with vendors, adoptable animals, live music, and entertainment for kids and adults. The first 1,000 attendees will get a swag bag.

“We celebrate the love we share with our animals every day, and Paws in the Park is one of our favorite ways to connect with that community, meet a lot of amazing pet families, and raise awareness and funds for Alexandria’s animals,” said AWLA CEO Stella Hanly in a release.

While well-behaved, leashed pets of all types and their humans are invited to the event, you don’t need to have a pet to attend. In fact, the event will have its largest Rescue Row featuring adoptable animals from more than 20 rescues and animal welfare league organizations.

Entertainment on the main stage will begin at 11 a.m. and include musical acts like Katie & Logan and the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia.

Part of the entertainment will be the Pet Costume Contest, sponsored by Realtor Bobby Mahoney and Corcoran McEnearney at 1:30 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the spookiest, funniest, and most creative costume. Participants can register in advance or in person up to 12:30 p.m. as space allows.

Along with the main stage, Paws in the Park will host a Family Fun Tent with arts and crafts and activities geared for kids of all ages and Silent Auction Tent for bidding on experiences and items. Bidding opened on Sept. 11 and is underway online.

Dozens of artisans, nonprofits, and animal-focused businesses have signed up to be vendors at the event. Attendees can also enjoy food and drinks from local vendors or pack a picnic.

Proceeds from the Silent Auction and Costume Contest will benefit the AWLA’s work to support homeless animals at the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, as well as services for pet owners and pets in the city. AWLA will also host its 80th anniversary celebration on Thursday, Nov. 12.

About the Author

  • Emily Leayman is the editor of ALXnow and contributes reporting to ARLnow and FFXnow. She was previously a field editor covering parts of Northern Virginia for Patch for more than eight years. A native of the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania, she lives in Northern Virginia.