HAVE A CUP OF JOE WITH JOE – The Woofa Roo Pet Fest 10th Anniversary
It is no secret that the Windsor and Essex County area enjoys a large variety of diverse and exciting festivals each summer. One in particular in June — the Woofa Roo Pet Fest in Amherstburg — is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. In 2018 Expedia.ca listed it as #2 in Canada for Insta-Worthy Destinations To Visit With Your Pet.
Lorene Clayton, Director of the Woofa Roo Pet Fest reports that the “2022 attendance was down to 6,500 to 7,000 from the usual 7,500 to 11,000 in recent years — which is our expectation for this year.” The small decrease is likely the result of a “COVID hangover” for many still hesitant to venture out in public.
As well, Clayton points out: “Even though this is an indoor and outdoor event, it is still weather dependent. If the weather is too hot or too cold or rainy, people don’t want to bring their dogs. “However, those who have been to this event in the past will be there no matter what! It’s almost like a cult following.”
Though the “Woofa” in the event name obviously relates to the canine population, the “Pet Fest” signals the inclusivity of other pets.
“We call it a Pet Fest because we have people come with their cats in baby strollers, and we’ve had pet pigs and birds — some have attended with their parrots on their shoulders too,” she says. “We’ve even had an iguana.”
Why has this event grown so quickly in popularity in just 10 years?
A review of the following statistics from the Made In Canada website: MadeInCa.ca provides a clue: 58% of Canadians own a pet; Canada’s pet population was 27.9 million in 2020; Ontario has the largest number of pet supply stores and in 2019, Canadians spent $9 billion on their pets.
In short, Canadians love their pets!
The Woofa Roo Pet Fest takes place Saturday, June 24 and Sunday, June 25 from 9:30 a.m to 5:30 p.m. at Amherstburg’s beautiful facility and grounds of the Libro Credit Union Centre, 3295 Meloche Road.
Daily admission is $10 per person; $5 for kids six to 16 years old and those five and under can attend for free.
For the 10th anniversary some exciting new events have been added.
