Schedule for 3rd annual Shepherdstown DogFest Weekend
Aug. 15 16
DogFest hours will be 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. All activities are free. Most will be held on King Street between German and High Streets, which will be closed to vehicle traffic. The Midway that will be the site of the sheepdog and flyball demonstrations is the grassy area between the Student Center and Sara Cree Hall on the Shepherd University campus; this is located on King Street, just one block north of the main exhibit area.
Details of some events, demonstrations and exhibitors may change. Prior to the DogFest weekend, check the Shepherdstown Visitor’s Center website at www.shepherdstown.info for the latest schedule information. If you have questions, contact Visitor’s Center Director Jan Hafer at 304-876-2786 or svc@shepherdstown.info.
During the weekend, the Visitors’ Center will have a booth on King Street to offer assistance and answer questions on site. There will be several cool-down areas for dogs and their owners. Businesses that have a paw decal will allow dogs on their premises. All dogs should be leashed, vaccinated for rabies, and well behaved. Under no circumstance should anyone leave their dog in their vehicle – offenders will be prosecuted.
DogFest Schedule of Activities
All activities on North King Street unless otherwise noted
Saturday, Aug. 15
10 a.m. – 4 p.m. DogFest exhibit area open
10 a.m. Towpath the Wonder Pup. Burned and abandoned on the C&O Canal near Shepherdstown, the little dog named Towpath has recovered and blossomed into an international ambassador for abused animals. Come meet the miracle pup and hear his heartwarming story.
10:15 10:30 a.m. Dogs of the Civil War. Representatives of the Shepherdstown Living History Society will be in costume to explain to visitors how dogs were used, and loved, by both sides during the Civil War.
10:30-11 a.m.Helpful dog tips. Dr. Crystal Mincey of Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital will speak about how to choose a dog, and how to protect your dog from tick-borne diseases.
10:30 11:15 a.m. Flyball on the Midway. The Corporal Punishment Flyball Team, led by owner and trainer Renee Nappier, will amaze visitors with its speed and agility. Children will have a chance to compete with dogs on the course, as well, and don’t be surprised to see some flyball pigs! Be sure to stop by the Mason-Dixon Kennel Club booth to learn about obedience, flyball, or Rally-O training for your own dogs.
11 12:30 a.m. Parade of Rescue Dogs. DogFest is unique in offering this event in which adoptable dogs from a dozen rescue organizations and shelters will be showcased. As each purebred dog goes on parade, a representative of the sponsoring organization will describe the breed’s history and purpose, its temperament, any grooming or special care needs it may have, and the kinds of people who would be happiest with that breed. Shelters showcasing blended breed dogs will provide the same kind of information about the specific animals they have brought.
12 2:45 p.m. Registration opens for Community Dog Show Visitors Center booth. Show will be held at 3 p.m. (see below). Open to dogs owned by residents and visitors. Any dog with a current rabies vaccine can enter. Pre-registration is encouraged; get registration forms at the Shepherdstown Visitors Center or on the Center’s website at www.shepherdstown.info.
12:30 1:15 p.m. Flyball on the Midway, with the Corporal Punishment Flyball Team, led by owner and trainer Renee Nappier.
12:45 1 p.m. Dogs of World War One. Representatives of the Shepherdstown Living History Society will be in costume to explain to visitors how dogs were used, and loved, by both sides during World War One.
1 1:30 p.m. Blessing of the Dogs by Rev. GT Schramm of Trinity Episcopal Church
2 2:15 p.m. Dogs of World War Two. Representatives of the Shepherdstown Living History Society will be in costume to explain to visitors how dogs were used, and loved, by both sides during World War Two.
2:15 2:30 p.m. Presentation of Thanks to Jefferson County Sheriff Peter Dougherty; County Animal Control Supervisor Denise Lambiotte and her staff; Director of the West Virginia office of the Humane Society of the United States, Heather Severt; Janette Reever, HSUS’s Animal Fighting expert; and veterinarian Dr. Norm Wilt for the parts they played in the recent break-up of a dogfighting business in Jefferson County.
2:30 3 p.m. Obedience and Tricks. Greenburg Bed & Biscuit trainer Lauren Watson will offer helpful advice for handling your dog.
2:30 3:15 p.m. Flyball on the Midway, with the Corporal Punishment Flyball Team, led by owner and trainer Renee Nappier.
3 4:30 p.m. Community Dog Show. Prizes will be awarded in three categories: Family Dog, Dog Star, and Good News Dog. Judges will be Shepherdstown’s own Becky Phipps, Brian Albert, and Elizabeth Sager.
4:30 6:00 p.m. Yappy Hour. Relax after the day’s DogFest action by enjoying special cocktails at Shepherdstown’s bars and restaurants, many of which are dog-friendly. Try the Pink Poodle, the Greyhound, the Salty Dog or any one of several other reasons that dogs are man’s best friend.
Sunday, Aug. 16
10 -10:30 a.m. Blessing of the Dogs by Pastor Karen Erskine Valentine of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church
10:15 11 a.m. Sheep Dog Demonstration on the Midway. Watch Billy Pritchard and Wink Mason, both certified herding judges for the American Herding Breed Association and the American Kennel Club work with their champion border collies Joey and Tess as they control sheep. See how shepherd and sheep dog work as a single unit, and how these dogs are trained.
10:45 11 a.m. Dogs of the Civil War, with representatives of the Shepherdstown Living History Society.
11 a.m. 12:30 p.m. Look and Learn Parade of Heritage Breeds. This event will showcase a wide variety of dogs, including breeds that go back to antiquity, rarely seen outside official show rings. Local Great Dane lover and rescue activist Dawn White will be Master of Ceremonies, describing the history and characteristics of each breed. Participating breeds will include but not be limited to: Rhodesian Ridgeback; Giant Schnauzer; Bouvier de Flandres; Puli; Borzoi; Scottish Deerhound; Irish Wolfhound; Bedlington, Sealeyham, and Wheaten Terriers; Brittany; Pembroke and Cardigan Welsh Corgis; Shiba Inu; Spitz; Cavalier King Charles Spaniel; English and French Bulldogs; and Whippet. The parade will be followed by a meet-and-greet opportunity to mix and talk with owners, breeders and exhibitors of these breeds.
12 2 p.m. Free Family Film at the Opera House: 101 Dalmatians.
12:30 1:15 p.m. Sheep Dog Demonstration on the Midway, with Billy Pritchard and Wink Mason, and their champion border collies Joey and Tess.
12:45 1 p.m. Dogs of World War One, with representatives of the Shepherdstown Living History Society.
1 1:25 p.m. Obedience and Tricks. Greenburg Bed & Biscuit trainer Lauren Watson will offer helpful advice for handling your dog.
1:15 2 p.m. Flyball on the Midway, with the Corporal Punishment Flyball Team, led by owner and trainer Renee Nappier.
1:25 1:30 p.m. Remarks by West Virginia State Delegate Stephen Skinner
1:30 1:35 p.m. Message from United States Senator Joe Manchin
2:00 2:45 p.m. Flyball on the Midway, with the Corporal Punishment Flyball Team, led by owner and trainer Renee Nappier.
2:15 2:30 p.m. Dogs of World War Two, with representatives of the Shepherdstown Living History Society.
2 4 p.m. Free Family Film at the Opera House: Fantastic Mr. Fox.
2:45 3:30 p.m. Sheep Dog Demonstration on the Midway, with Billy Pritchard and Wink Mason, and their champion border collies Joey and Tess.
3:15 4 p.m. Flyball on the Midway, with the Corporal Punishment Flyball Team, led by owner and trainer Renee Nappier.
3:30 4 p.m. Obedience and Tricks. Greenburg Bed & Biscuit trainer Lauren Watson will offer helpful advice for handling your dog.
DogFest Exhibitors
(All will be participating Saturday and Sunday on King Street unless otherwise noted)
Airedale Terrier Rescue of the Virginias. All-volunteer organization dedicated to finding loving new homes for abandoned and surrendered Airedale Terriers in Virginia and West Virginia.
Animal Advocates of West Virginia. A grassroots work group that seeks to identify issues affecting animals in the Eastern Panhandle and to create solutions through education and advocacy.
Animal artist Joe Mayer (Saturday only). Will draw cartoons of you and your dog. Accepting charitable contributions. At Bistro 112 Restaurant, 112 West German Street
Animal Welfare Society of Jefferson County. Provides housing, care and adoptions for homeless animals in Jefferson and surrounding counties. Provides spay/neuter assistance.
Bichon Frise Club. Maintains a nationwide Rescue Effort that endeavors to rehabilitate and responsibly place relinquished or abandoned Bichons in good adoptive homes.
Blue Ridge Veterinary Blood Bank. All canine volunteer blood bank located in Purcellville, Virginia. Learn how your dog can help other dogs by donating blood.
Briggs Animal Adoption Center. An adoption, spaying and medical center for dogs and cats, based in Charles Town.
Chesapeake Area Alaskan Malamute Protection (CHAAMP). Organization that works to rescue Alaskan Malamutes and connect them with good, loving forever homes.
Friends Fur Life. Berkeley Springs-based animal rescue organization that focuses on animals that have been abused, neglected or abandoned.
Girl Scouts. Cadettes of Troop 40009 will be working as volunteer greeters and sheep guards(!), while selling dog goods and treats to fund their trip to the Savannah, Georgia home of Girl Scout founder Juliette Gordon Low.
Greensburg Bed & Biscuit. Team of loving caregivers offer a full range of local pet care services for dogs and cats, including boarding, grooming and training.
Greyhound Rescue, Inc. (Sunday only) Non-profit organization, based in Gerrardstown, dedicated to finding loving, forever homes for retired racing Greyhounds.
June’s ETC. Tennessee-based vendor who offers a wide range of handcrafted pet accessories, such as harnesses, collars, coats, raincoats, carriers, blankets and pillows.
Mason-Dixon Kennel Club. Hagerstown-based American Kennel Club affiliate offers a wide variety of classes for dogs of all breeds and ages, including puppy training, obedience, rally, agility and flyball.
Miss Emily Art. Shepherdstown-based arts school will offer dog-themed crafts for children.
National Brittany Rescue and Adoption Network. Active across the U.S. and Canada, NBRAN provides rescue, foster care, and adoption services for both Brittanys and French Brittanys.
National Humane Education Society. Charles Town-based national organization that focuses on fostering a sentiment of kindness to animals in children and adults.
Potomac Valley Audubon Society. Local chapter of the National Audubon Society that promotes greater understanding and appreciation of all facets of the natural world.
Puppy Fluffer. Will be offering dog-grooming services with all fees donated to animal welfare.
PurposeFULL Paws. A nonprofit corporation, based in Bunker Hill, that raises and trains service/assistance dogs for the disabled.
Ruff Ranch Sanctuary. A Middletown, Virginia organization that brings veterans and “harder to place” dogs together in a program that provides housing and employment for veterans and safe haven for challenged and aging canines.
Save a Yorkie Rescue. A Pennsylvania-based volunteer organization dedicated to rescuing abandoned and surrendered Yorkshire terriers.
Sgt. Charlie, Therapy dog. This bullmastiff is the mascot of the Virginia National Guard, and an ambassador for therapy dogs everywhere.
Shepherdstown Living History Society. These dedicated public historians portray well-researched characters from our nation’s past. They will help visitors understand the relationship our society has had with dogs throughout the nation’s history.
Sophie and Bailey’s. Harpers Ferry dog boutique that specializes in upscale treats, toys, and accessories.
Virginia German Shepherd Rescue. A volunteer organization that rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes purebred and mixed German Shepherd dogs in Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and adjacent areas of West Virginia and North Carolina.
DogFest Sponsors
China Kitchen, Dickinson & Wait Craft Gallery, Greensburg Bed and Biscuit, Jefferson County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Shenandoah Veterinary Hospital, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown Visitors Center, Shepherdstown Business Association, Station at Shepherdstown, Town of Shepherdstown.