Paw Jam 2009 – Pet-Friendly Event in North Carolina

I’m like the hunchback of the office. While everyone else is doing real work, I’m indulging myself in stories about ghosts, gambling and Wrestlemania. They want to do a piece about Easter; I want to do a piece about peanut butter sandwiches. They want to do a piece about flowers; I want to link to Twisted Sister videos, and so forth. It’s truly a never-ending struggle for blog supremacy.

Well, you can’t win them all, as they say, so join us now as we take you to a festival … for dogs.*

Wilmington, North Carolina is a surprisingly happening place for festival goers, hosting street fairs, jazz festivals, blues festivals, a big Oktoberfest, a free Shakespeare festival and last week’s North Carolina Azalea Festival, just to name a few. There’s something going on pretty much all year long, but one newer, more unusual event that we hope won’t sneak under your radar is Paw Jam 2009.

In case the name hasn’t given it away, Paw Jam 2009 is dog-friendly festival. All leashed dogs are admitted for free. Paw Jam combines traditional county fair attractions – live music, dance, shows, arts and crafts, food stands – with dog and pet-related vendors. You can find everything from leash and accessory companies to educational booths featuring the latest in dog health and safety.

There’s a beer garden, too, but I’m pretty sure it’s just for people. I don’t think they’ll fall for the ol’ three-dogs-standing-up-in-a-trench-coat routine.

If an opportunity for a fun afternoon with your pet wasn’t enough, Paw Jam is also a charity event. Proceeds and donations from the festival go to support area rescue groups and foundations. This is overseen by P.A.W.S. (”Pets Are Worth Savings”), a North Carolina non-profit dedicated to the promotion and funding of no-kill, non-profit rescue organizations in the state. Paw Jam 2008 raised $15,000 for the cause, and as you might expect, this year’s event is expected to be even bigger.

It’s an important cause, and it’s great to participate, but at USA Travel Guide our top concern is that you have a great time with your pet.

Paw Jam 2009 will take place on May 2, 2009 at Battleship Park in Wilmington, North Carolina. An entertainment schedule has not been released, but you can still learn a little bit more about the event here.

If you’re traveling in, and we hope that you will, consider staying at the Hilton Wilmington Hotel – Riverside. It’s close to the park, and what’s more, the hotel is pet-friendly for even large dogs. Animals up to 75 lbs. are allowed (for a fee, of course).

*Your writer apologizes for his snarky tone. He is what you might call a cat person.

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