Use this search box to find articles that have run in our newspapers over the last several years.
Date: 8/16/2022
EASTHAMPTON – Looking for a fun day out with your dogs? Western Massachusetts most popular dog party is returning once again.
The Dakin Humane Society’s Barks and Brews at Fort Hill Brewery in Easthampton returns for its seventh installment of fun, games and beer on Sept. 18 from 12 to 4 p.m., rain or shine.
Barks and Brews is an outdoor, dog-friendly party for humans and canines. No dog? No problem according to Dakin, bring a friend and enjoy vendors, beer, food trucks, canine activities, treats and more beer.
Dakin Community Engagement Manager Kaitlyn Holloway said the Barks and Brews event started after a group of volunteers and board members were brainstorming for a fun way to raise money by incorporating people’s love of gathering and enjoying the company of their dogs.
“A lot of breweries are very dog friendly which is one reason why we find a lot of those companies willing and able to help out because people love to bring their dogs out with them while they enjoy a beer,” Holloway said. “The rest is history as they say.”
She added that having an event dedicated to the love people have for their pets was what it was all about for the organization.
According to Holloway, Barks and Brews raises about $30,000 annually and it goes toward a variety of programming and services. The biggest benefactor of these raised funds is the pet food aid program that serves as a local pet food bank.
Holloway said since 2020 there have been notable increases in the amount of pet food that families locally are needing. She noted that with the economic strain recently put on families all over the nation, this program has been helpful in keeping pets and people together and healthy which is the organization’s ultimate goal.
More recently, Dakin was able to assist in the Humane Society of the United State’s nationwide rescue of over 4,000 beagles, taking on 20 of the rescued dogs. Events like Barks and Brews, along with private donations, provide the funding to support these types of efforts, Holloway noted.
“It allows us to open our doors and be a safe place for animals both locally and when the need arises nationally as well,” Holloway said.
People attending must be 21 or older and all dogs must be on a leash. Retractable leashes are not allowed. General admission tickets are $35 and include a complimentary beer token as well as parking located at the local school lot, a five-minute walk from Fort Hills Brewery, or on-street parking if the lot is full. General admission with an event pint glass added is $40 per ticket.
VIP admission is $70 and includes on-site parking, two complimentary beers, a commemorative event pint glass and a preview hour with refreshments. The VIP hour starts at 12 p.m. before it is opened to general admission at 1 p.m. Tickets are not available at the door and are usually sold out well before the day of the event.
Preordered pint glasses and shirts can be picked up at Barks and Brews but any order after Aug. 15 is not guaranteed to be available for pick up at the event. Any items will need to be picked up after the event at Dakin’s Springfield location by appointment only.
Dakin welcomes all crowd-friendly dogs but asks those who are interested in bringing their pup along to consider a couple questions beforehand. Is my dog comfortable around a lot of people, dogs and loud music and is my dog physically healthy and fit enough to be at an outdoor event. Organizers also note that attendees should keep in mind that this event has activities that include food and that if your dog is known to resource guard or has displayed aggression toward other dogs, then this may not be the best environment for them. Dogs displaying this type of behavior will be asked to leave.
This year’s event will also feature the introduction of Dakin’s new behavior coordinator, a new position with the organization. Holloway said the new Behavior Coordinator Lauren Rubin will be holding demonstrations on different training techniques for those interested.
Barks and Brews will again feature a splash zone area of a splash pool and misting sprinkler for dogs to keep cool and keep the pavement wet. There will also be a hot dog eating contest between dogs separated by weight classes. The event will also feature a 50/50 raffle, caricature art, a talent show, nail-trimming, dog baths, vendor booth shopping and “the beer, of course,” according to Holloway.
“I always say that Barks and Brews is the greatest dog party in the area. I think a lot of people really enjoy coming out and seeing all the dogs there. I think pets are a great way for people to bond with each other,” Holloway said. “The bond between people and pets is special and unique, but the idea that bringing people together through pets and that shared love of pets is pretty awesome too.”