Tomorrow is the big day when Liberty will greet her fans in our inaugural Dogs of DoG Street event—all to collect donations and raise awareness for fellow pups at Heritage Humane Society. Here’s our official Insiders Guide to all the tail-wagging fun.
SATURDAY, SEPT 19
8 a.m. - Noon
Gourmet Dog Treats at Williamsburg Farmers Market
Location: Merchants Square
9:15 a.m.
Registration begins (exchange your registration voucher for a FREE dog bandana)
Drop off donations for Heritage Humane Society
Get your pet portrait taken by professional local photographer
Location: Palace Green
10:00 a.m.
George Washington & Liberty meet the crowd, lead the walk
Location: Palace Green to the Captiol
10:30 a.m.
Live auction featuring modern and 18th-century inspired pet products
Pet & owner pictures with George Washington
The walk officially starts at 10 a.m. at Palace Green and the first 700 people will get a FREE Dogs of DoG Street bandana when they turn in their registration form found at colonialwilliamsburg.com/dogs. In addition to your voucher, you’re also encouraged to bring a donation for the shelter! You’ll find a complete wish list at that same link but some items include creamy low fat peanut butter, large Kong dog toys, laundry detergent (HE preferred), paper towels, toilet paper, Milkbone’s Soft & Chewy Dog Treats, and Pedigree Dentastix.
Get there early or stay late to enjoy gourmet dog treats in Merchants Square. From 8-12 (while supplies last), our apprentice chefs will have a tent at the Williamsburg Farmers Market to pass out complimentary all-natural dog treats. Here’s a sneak peek at their recipe that is dog-tested, Liberty-approved!
Local photographer Lisa Martin Lee will also be on hand before the walk to take your dogs’ picture with the Governor’s Palace as a backdrop. Any donations will go straight to Heritage Humane Society.
George Washington and Liberty will arrive by horse and carriage and will lead the “pack” in a march down Duke of Gloucester (DoG Street) where the fun continues with a live auction in front of the Capitol. You can bid on everything from dog prints to toile water bowls, dog beds, and several custom pet accessories and supplies designed by our historic trades! You can even get a leather replica collar and leash just like Liberty’s! Here’s the complete list of auction items and below are some pictures to help you plan your wish list.
(If you’re interested in our Liberty line of pet products for your dog but you can’t make our big event, you’re in luck! Many of them are now available online. Click here to browse through these unique items!)
Finally, don’t miss out on a chance for you and your pup to take your picture with General Washington. Volunteers will be on hand to snap cell phone images after the walk. Be sure to Instagram them using #dogsofdogstreet so we can share your fun pictures with Liberty! Oh, and she has her own hashtag as well - #givemeliberty
Here is a copy of Liberty’s Event Etiquette to review with your pups before-hand so that this can be a fun (and safe) event for all.
A special thank you to our puppy models Dega, Maddie, and Snoopy.
I to so wished I could have been there too with my dog and daughter. We love the town so much but have a six hour drive which is a little long for a regular weekend. Please post pictures of the doggie parade. I missed watching the webcams at the time and couldn’t pick up anything on the 24 hour loop. Will there be anyway to get the cute doggie bandanas? Can’t wait to be back at Christmas Hope to someday be able to move there. At least I keep dreaming that.
Wish I could be there to see and meet the dog participants. Walking down DOG Street is one of my favorite things to do and the dogs make it even better. Enjoy!