Summer in Toronto carries many connotations – good and bad – for all of us. As urban dwellers, it’s almost guaranteed that the summer months will find us crawling through traffic and road construction, or sweating through chaotic ferry line-ups and cramped rides in unairconditioned subway cars. BUT, that said, the warm weather alos signals the beginning of ‘festival season’ in the GTA. Whether you’re a music lover, a foodie, or simply enjoy a particular locally brewed beer, there are a wealth of exciting events that return to the city every summer, becoming treasured traditions among Torontonians! And since Toronto is very much a dog-loving city, not all summer celebrations are exclusively for humans. Woofstock, which is North America’s largest outdoor festival for dogs, was also the first of it’s kind! The annual event always takes place on the last weekend of May (this year it falls on May 27th/28th) in Woodbine Park. As an Urbaneer guest writer, I will be sniffing it out this weekend. So, if you see me walking my lovely dog, Logan, through the park, be sure to come over and shake a paw!
This will be Woofstock’s 14th year celebrating dogs, dog owners, and everything that makes their tails wag. Originally, the festival took place in the Distillery District, back when it was just a burgeoning central-east enclave. But as each year drew more and more canines and their human companions (tens of thousands!), it quickly outgrew the area and was moved to the St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood. In 2013, Woofstock found itself – yet again – in need of a bigger venue, and so Woodbine Park was chosen as it’s new home. Not only can the park accommodate the increasing number of visitors, but being in close proximity to the Toronto Beaches, it is the perfect urban oasis for our four-legged pals to gather and party!
For those of you who have attended Woofstock in the past, I’m sure you’ll attest that it is indeed a party! The two-day celebration features games, contests, and enough pet supplies on display to make your head spin. There is something for every dog and every dog lover. If you’re bringing your family, it’s a good idea to pace yourself and not rush; the combination of the hot sun, abounding energy, and all the head-turning hubub may find you all tangled up in your leash! For example, do you think your pup has what it takes to achieve celebrity status? Well, this is the place to show off their talent! Two of the contests are the ‘Mr. and Ms. Canine Canada Pageant’, which play out shoulder to shoulder with talent competitions and even a fashion show!
As much as Woofstock is about fun for the pooches, it’s also a great opportunity for us to learn about our canine companions, and how to best take care of them. The Health and Wellness pavilion is where you’ll be able to learn about keeping your furry pal happy and healthy! And who doesn’t want that?! There are also training seminars where you can learn more about the behaviour of your dog and how you might work to toward eliminating their bad habits. Have you come across one too many ripped and chewed Jimmy Choos? This one might be for you!
But Woofstock is also a great place for human family members, too. The Kids Zone is a free ‘fun zone’ where little Woofstockers can make crafts with their dogs, enjoy story time, and take photos. There are contests, giveaways, and presentations designed especially for children and their pets. One of the presentations this year aims to help kids learn how to approach a dog they don’t know, as well as the the proper way to award your dog treats. After all, introducing a pet to little ones can be a bit tricky and nerve-wracking; this presentation will help children understand dog behaviour and how to play safely.
So, what if you’re not a dog owners but have been thinking about becoming one? Woofstock is the place to be! At Woofstock’s Rescue Village, the festival hosts over 15 different rescues where visitors can learn about rescue groups and breeds. Adoptions will be available and a speaker series is also scheduled. The best part is that Woofstock will be donating an equal portion of the ticket sales to the members of the Rescue Village. How cool is that?!
This year, I’m proud to announce that I will be representing the Urbaneer Team at Woofstock; you’ll be able to find us at the tent of our parent brokerage, Bosley Real Estate. I’d love to meet you and anyone you’ve brought along! I’ll introduce you to Logan, the happy-go-lucky border collie often mentioned in my Urbaneer blog series – Monika’s Animal House. Also, in the spirit of Woofstock and real estate, we will be holding a draw for this fabulous, one-of-a-kind dog house designed by Custom Dog Houses! Talk about luxury living! Take a peek:
Woodbine Park
1695 Queen St E
Toronto, Ontario
Saturday, May 27 – 10am – 6pm
Sunday, May 28 – 10am – 5pm
Tickets:
Adult Online Tickets $10 – Weekend Pass
Adult At Gate Tickets $12 – Weekend Pass
Children under 10 and Dogs are FREE
Mixing pets and urban living can be a challenge, especially when real estate and transitioning to a new home is concerned. While the process of selling your home is often made more complicated (‘5 Simple Rules For Selling A Home With Pets‘), sometimes it can also be difficult to find a new home that will be well-suited to your pet: ‘Buying a Condo your Dog Will Love‘. Are you on the hunt for that perfect place to share with your pooch? Do you have questions or topic ideas about caring for dogs in the city? Contact us!
~ Monika
Guest Writer: Monika MacMillan, Sales Representative
Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage – (416) 530-1100