Wag It Forward! Don't miss the largest dog event in New England on October 2 in Essex Junction, VT

You are invited to plunge into the biggest annual do-good pet fest in Vermont! Pet Food Warehouse is excited to once again present Wag It Forward: A nonprofit festival for pets at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction, VT, from 10am to 4pm Sunday, October 2nd! Tickets are only $5 for adults; kids 12 and under are free; and leashed pets are encouraged to join. Parking is free. All festival profits are split equally between the participating local animal nonprofit groups. Dive into pet-friendly fun with the whole family for a great cause!

We had a blast raising over $10,000 for rescues and animal nonprofits last year at our outer space themed festival. This year we are bringing things down into the deep blue sea to deliver dog-gone good times with an Under the Sea theme. Start the day with the Chase Away Canine Cancer 5K fun run before the event at 9am (register ahead at https://runsignup.com/ Race/VT/Essex/ChaseAway5K). Your 5K bib gets participants into the festival for free when the doors open at 10am!

If your dog prefers to make a splash over a lap around the track, you can register them for Dock Dogs jumping competitions throughout the day at www.dockdogs/events.

We are keeping things fun and slightly competitive for even the less athletic pups with a family friendly Under the Sea themed costume contest at 2pm. Come early to register with the PFW team for a chance to win one of 3 prize packages or jump into the parade for informal participation!

Outfitted in theme, or not, swim by several selfie stations and share pics of the day on social media with the hashtag #PFWWIF for a chance to win a $50 gift card to spend at Pet Food Warehouse.

We will also be joined by the 99.9 Buzz Bash Crew with coffee courtesy of Dunkin’ in the morning; live music will keep the current moving in the afternoon; animal demonstrations are scheduled all day; food trucks and beverage tent will provide fuel; and crafts and activities in the Fun Zone will entertain all.

Greet some of the many nonprofit groups that work tirelessly every day

for animals in Vermont. Learn about pets available for adoption, find out how you can help support your community’s shelters, play games, and chat with the folk that “just keep swimming” for the sake of the pets!

Explore dozens of pet-related vendors with a wide variety of premium pet products and foods, including some of our generous sponsors. Find samples and treats to purchase, spin wheels, and learn how your pets’ foods are sourced and made from the manufacturers themselves!

We’d like to specifically thank these top sponsors for supporting this continuing voyage:

Whale Level: Pets Global Family of Brands (Essence, Fussie Cat, Inception, and Zignature) and Wellness Pet (makers of Wellness, Holistic Select, Eagle Pack, Sojos, Old Mother Hubbard, and Whimzees).

Octopus Level: American Natural Premium; Identity Pet Nutrition; Triumph Pet Foods; and Vital Essentials

Dolphin Level: Andy & Audies natural pet chews; Best Western Plus Windjammer Inn; Darford; Edward Jones; Healthy Hemp Pet; Island Memorial; OC Raw; Simply B Vermont; Sit Pretty Grooming Salon; Sticky Brand; The Honest Kitchen; and Waggle Woof & Wander!

We can’t wait to Wag It Forward with you and your pets on a beautiful fall day. For more details about the event, visit www. pfwvt.com/wagitforward. For questions about the day’s events, please email wif@pfwvt.com.