The 27th annual Woofstock event hosted by the Voorhees Animal Orphanage (VOA) is planned for Saturday, Sept. 23, at Town Center.
Woofstock aims to bring people together to support the orphanage, a South Jersey staple in the animal community. This year’s version is expected to have more than 100 craft and retail vendors, dog demonstrations, food trucks, beer gardens, animal rescue groups, raffles and an orphanage alumni parade with past adopters.
Vendor fees are $75 and $250 for food trucks, but have been waived for 501c3 nonprofit animal rescue groups and shelters.
Woofstock is the VAO’s largest fundraiser, attracting anywhere from 3,000 to 4,000 attendees each year. Entry fee is $2 at the gate, money that will help fund orphanage animals’ health care and VOA’s operating costs.
“We have up to 25 additional animal rescue groups we invite free of charge to help promote their animal services (in the area), because we’re all in this together, for the animals,” said Jennifer Bailey, VAO’s marketing director.
“One of our biggest things is our VAO alumni parade, because this event is animal and human friendly. We welcome all friendly and well trained animals on leashes.”
Bailey has coordinated Woofstock for nine years and says growth over the last decade has been significant.
“When I took over the event, we averaged between 50 and 60 vendors with a few food trucks,” she noted. “Now we see over 100 vendors with multiple food trucks, so the event (has basically) doubled in size. Food trucks are such a big deal now, so we do one of each type (of food). The eight food trucks that were here last year already committed to coming back. “
“For us, it is an all-hands-on-deck event for us,” Bailey pointed out, “so we really rely on our volunteers to help run the event and bring animals out for us.”
For more information, visit the Voorhees Animal Orphanage website and Facebook page.
