Pet lovers set for annual Woofstock

For 17 years, Woofstock has been attracting pet-lovers and community members from Smyrna to enjoy two days of animal- fifilled fun.

As one of the largest pet adoption events in the southeast, Woofstock hosts numerous non profifits, vendors, dog contests and live music performances ina family-friendly environment.

Woofstock is 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 30 at Smyrna Market Village in down town Smyrna. Admission is free. All pets are welcome to attend, but they must be on a leash.

Atlanta-based radio station Star 94.1 is the host of the event. Mike Marino, assistant program director and afternoon host, has been a part of Woofstock since his start at Star 94.1 fifive years ago.

“It’s just getting bigger and bigger each year because people just love their pets,” Marino said in a telephone interview. “You can just come on by and see everything there is to offer for not only you as a pet owner but for your pet as well.”

While Woofstock is based around pets and their owners, the opportunity is available for anyone to adopt a pet. Nearly 6.5 million companion animals are admitted to animal shelters around the United States each year, according to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

“The humane society is there, there is pet adoption going on there, so even if you didn’t have a pet, it’s a good spot to come down and maybe give a pet a loving home,” Marino said.

Woofstock has taken place since 2011 andwas started in Suwanee. The Smyrna event was added to supplement the fall in 2015. More than 40,000 people are expected to attend the two-day event.

On top of the vendors and sponsors at Woofstock, Sandy Springs native Brynn Elliott will be performing.

“Just to see it grow every year has been very satisfying for everybody that works here and puts a lot of legwork into the event,” Marino said.

CONTRIBUTED Woofstock is one of the largest pet adoption events in the southeast.