17 Sep Northwest Florida Great Dane Rescue to Host 2nd Annual Dane-Toberfest in October
By Katie King- katie@ewbullock.com
“Until There Are None, Rescue One”
September 15, 2017 –Pensacola Beach, Fl—Get ready for food, live music, arts and crafts, shopping, raffles — and plenty of dog slobber — as the Gentle Giants of Northwest Florida Great Dane Rescue (NWFLGDR) take over Seville Square on Sunday, Oct. 8, from noon to 5 p.m. for the second annual Dane-Toberfest celebration and fundraising event.
Dane-Toberfest 2017 is a dog-friendly event! That’s right, you can bring Fido along! We just ask that all dogs be friendly and up-to-date on vaccinations. No retractable leashes please.
This year’s festival theme is “Until There Are None, Rescue One.” Adoptable Great Danes of all ages and colors will be on site to greet festivalgoers — and happily receive treats and affection in return (hint hint).
“The inaugural Dane-Toberfest was such a success, we couldn’t wait to bring it back,” said Deana Vess, events coordinator for the rescue. “This year’s event will be even bigger and better. We have more vendors, more raffles, and much more space as we’ve moved the outdoor event to Seville Square this year, under the shaded canopy of oak trees.”
More than 30 vendors will have tents set up selling their crafts – including everything from customized jewelry to woodworking to handcrafted candles and soaps to gourmet dog treats – and everything in between. In addition, a photographer will be on-hand for people to take pet portraits with their furry best friends and a booth will be set up to microchip your pet for a $20 donation.
NWFLGDR will be raffling off four major prizes for $5 a ticket or six tickets for $20:
- 4 – Disneyworld Single Day Park Hopper passes (a value of $600)
- Amusement Parks Package (4 Sea World, 4 Aquatica and 2 Busch Gardens passes – a value of $900)
- Gulf Shores Condo Weeklong Getaway (approximate $1000 value)
- 30-A Beachfront Condo Weekend Getaway (approximate $540 value)
In addition to the major prizes, more than 50 other items will be raffled off throughout the day – including custom artwork, gift baskets, gift cards, and collectibles — all totaling more than $5000.
Five food vendors will be on-site selling their goods: Cici’s Pizza will offer pizza by the slice; Hip Pocket Deli Food Truck will offer gyros and subs and Greek desserts; Lone Star Kitchens 2 Go will be serving Tex-Mex; Twisted & Corny will offer fried food favorites; and Kona Ice will be serving up shaved ice cups in more than 40 unique flavors.
The goal for this event is to bring attention to the many incredible Danes currently available for adoption within the rescue; to increase awareness about the benefits of adopting and fostering in your community; to emphasize the importance of spaying and neutering pets; and to help raise $8,000 for the rescue to be used for veterinary expenses, medical supplies, food and general care expenses.
“This year’s Dane-Toberfest theme, ‘Until There Are None, Rescue One,’ is fitting because in the past year alone, NWFLGDR has rescued, cared for, vetted and adopted out more than 100 Great Danes to approved families across the Southeast,” said Michelle Cramer, president of the rescue. “That is a milestone figure for us, and I hope it sheds a light on the staggering number of Danes in need, locally and regionally.”
NWFLGDR relies entirely on public donations and the tireless efforts of its volunteer fosters to exist. The rescue spends anywhere from $400 to $1,000, and occasionally much more, to care for each Great Dane it takes in — including medical treatment, food, preventatives and medication, microchip and spay/neuter surgery. That’s not including the amount of personal time and energy it takes every foster to nurse the Dane back to health and re-acclimate him/her to a caring environment.
“This annual fundraiser couldn’t come at a more opportune time for our rescue, as we have much to celebrate from this past year’s efforts,” said Tom Andrews, treasurer of NWFLGDR. “Conversely, however, the past year has stretched us thin financially, as the cost of vetting more than 100 Great Danes has been significant. So we can’t stress enough how much every donated dollar helps. And any help is very much appreciated.”
NWFLGDR hopes Dane-Toberfest will become a long-standing annual event in the Pensacola community where the public can come out and support the rescue’s cause and where prospective dog owners or prospective fosters can meet and learn more about the breed and dog ownership in general.
“We wouldn’t be here without the continued support from our community. So come out to the event, eat some great food, shop around, and let one of our gentle giants give you a slobbery welcome in person,” said Cramer.
About Northwest Florida Great Dane Rescue
Northwest Florida Great Dane Rescue was founded in Pensacola, Fla., and became a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization in 2008. NWFLGDR serves a large coverage area — from Jacksonville, Fla., westward along the I-10 corridor through southern Georgia and along the Gulf Coast of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi and into New Orleans, Louisiana. All Danes are brought current on vaccinations, microchipped, spayed or neutered, and heartworm tested prior to adoption.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Katie King
Northwest Florida Great Dane Rescue
Secretary/Director of Intake
(850) 723-6737
For more information about Northwest Florida Great Dane Rescue, message us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NWFLGDR or email NWFLGDR@gmail.com. For more information about the Dane-Toberfest event, please click here or contact NWFLGDR Events Coordinator Deana Vess at NWFLGDR.events@gmail.com.
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