By Patricia Hall, FairfaxFamilyFun.com
Ah, the dog days of summer… and apparently, early fall is “going to the dogs,” too! We have long promoted pets as part of the family here at Fairfax Family Fun. In fact, our Pet-friendly Fairfax page is a permanent features of this site, highlighting pet-friendly events and resources in our area. While that is still your go-to page for general information, with so many fun family-friendly events focused on pets in the next few weeks, we thought we’d highlight some of those in this special post! Visit a cat show; take your dog for a swim, to play in the snow, or attend a festival; and more! See our list below!
Saturday, Aug. 23, 10 am
Summer Snow Day for dogs
Reston Town Center
During the Petco Unleashed “Summer Snow Day,” dogs will get to run and play in the snow, while families enjoy activities and maybe even help a pet find its “forever home!” The event is from 10 am until the snow melts.
Summer Snow Day for dogs
Reston Town Center
During the Petco Unleashed “Summer Snow Day,” dogs will get to run and play in the snow, while families enjoy activities and maybe even help a pet find its “forever home!” The event is from 10 am until the snow melts.
Sunday, Aug. 24, 7 pm
Canine Cruise
Lake Accotink, Springfield
Treat your canine companion to a special cruise aboard Lake Accotink Park’s pooch-friendly pontoon boat. Catch the last rays of the sun as your dog scans for ducks, geese and other lake dwellers; $6 per person (ages 8 and up), no charge for dogs. Limit one dog per person. Reservations and advance payment required. Cruise cancelled at discretion of park staff in case of rain or gusty winds.
Canine Cruise
Lake Accotink, Springfield
Treat your canine companion to a special cruise aboard Lake Accotink Park’s pooch-friendly pontoon boat. Catch the last rays of the sun as your dog scans for ducks, geese and other lake dwellers; $6 per person (ages 8 and up), no charge for dogs. Limit one dog per person. Reservations and advance payment required. Cruise cancelled at discretion of park staff in case of rain or gusty winds.
Saturday, Sept. 6, 10 am-2 pm
Dog Day Swim
Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) water parks
Every year after Labor Day, area pools close — for humans, that is! But the weekend after, before pools are drained and cleaned, dogs can splash around at NVRPA water parks:Atlantis at Bull Run Park (Centreville), Pirate’s Cove at Pohick Bay (Lorton), Great Waves at Cameron Run (Alexandria), Ocean Dunes at Upton Hill (Arlington), and Volcano Island at Algonkian (Sterling). The fee is $5 per dog; all dogs must be current on their vaccines and you must sign a waiver. Please see details and restrictions on the website.
Dog Day Swim
Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) water parks
Every year after Labor Day, area pools close — for humans, that is! But the weekend after, before pools are drained and cleaned, dogs can splash around at NVRPA water parks:Atlantis at Bull Run Park (Centreville), Pirate’s Cove at Pohick Bay (Lorton), Great Waves at Cameron Run (Alexandria), Ocean Dunes at Upton Hill (Arlington), and Volcano Island at Algonkian (Sterling). The fee is $5 per dog; all dogs must be current on their vaccines and you must sign a waiver. Please see details and restrictions on the website.
Sunday, Sept. 7, 1-3 pm
Pooch Plunge
Veterans Park in Woodbridge
Neighboring Prince William County also hosts a dog swim, the Pooch Plunge at Veterans Park!. Dogs six months and up are invited to a dog paddle pool event! The fee is $5 per dog plus a bag of pet food. Dogs must have proof of current vaccinations and permits and owners must sign a waiver. Please see details and restrictions on the website.
Pooch Plunge
Veterans Park in Woodbridge
Neighboring Prince William County also hosts a dog swim, the Pooch Plunge at Veterans Park!. Dogs six months and up are invited to a dog paddle pool event! The fee is $5 per dog plus a bag of pet food. Dogs must have proof of current vaccinations and permits and owners must sign a waiver. Please see details and restrictions on the website.
Sunday, Sept. 14
Dog Swim at Fairfax Pool
Fairfax Swimming Pool
Fairfax Pool also traditionally hosts a dog swim after its pool has closed, sometime in mid-September. Details for 2014 have not been announced as of this writing, so check the website (link above) for updates.
Dog Swim at Fairfax Pool
Fairfax Swimming Pool
Fairfax Pool also traditionally hosts a dog swim after its pool has closed, sometime in mid-September. Details for 2014 have not been announced as of this writing, so check the website (link above) for updates.
Saturday-Sunday, Sept. 6-7, all day both days
National Capital Cat Show
Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly
It can’t be all about dogs, now, can it? The annual National Capital Cat Show returns, with up to 450 cats competing in Championship, Premiership, Kittens, and Household Pet classes. Plus, there are demos, vendors, and rescue groups with adoptable pets seeking forever homes!
National Capital Cat Show
Dulles Expo Center, Chantilly
It can’t be all about dogs, now, can it? The annual National Capital Cat Show returns, with up to 450 cats competing in Championship, Premiership, Kittens, and Household Pet classes. Plus, there are demos, vendors, and rescue groups with adoptable pets seeking forever homes!
Sunday, Sept. 14, 7 pm
Canine Cruise
Lake Accotink, Springfield
Treat your canine companion to a special cruise aboard Lake Accotink Park’s pooch-friendly pontoon boat. Catch the last rays of the sun as your dog scans for ducks, geese and other lake dwellers; $6 per person (ages 8 and up), no charge for dogs. Limit one dog per person. Reservations and advance payment required. Cruise cancelled at discretion of park staff in case of rain or gusty winds.
Canine Cruise
Lake Accotink, Springfield
Treat your canine companion to a special cruise aboard Lake Accotink Park’s pooch-friendly pontoon boat. Catch the last rays of the sun as your dog scans for ducks, geese and other lake dwellers; $6 per person (ages 8 and up), no charge for dogs. Limit one dog per person. Reservations and advance payment required. Cruise cancelled at discretion of park staff in case of rain or gusty winds.
Saturday, Sept. 27, 10 am-5 pm
FOHA Barktoberfest
Loudoun County Fairgrounds, Leesburg
At the signature event for Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA), you can bring your fur kids to enjoy a day of live music, games (for kids and dogs), food and drink, goodies from vendors, canine demonstrations, the Mutt Strut, and more, all to help raise funds to support FOHA’s mission of rescuing and finding homes for animals.
FOHA Barktoberfest
Loudoun County Fairgrounds, Leesburg
At the signature event for Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA), you can bring your fur kids to enjoy a day of live music, games (for kids and dogs), food and drink, goodies from vendors, canine demonstrations, the Mutt Strut, and more, all to help raise funds to support FOHA’s mission of rescuing and finding homes for animals.
Sunday, Oct. 5, noon
FPOW Paws for a Cause
Weber’s Supermarket, Fairfax
Fairfax Pets on Wheels (FPOW) is an all-volunteer organization that provides pet visitations to residents of nursing homes and hospitals. The annual “Paws for a Cause” walk is a 3K stroll through a shaded route in Fairfax to raise funds for FPOW.
FPOW Paws for a Cause
Weber’s Supermarket, Fairfax
Fairfax Pets on Wheels (FPOW) is an all-volunteer organization that provides pet visitations to residents of nursing homes and hospitals. The annual “Paws for a Cause” walk is a 3K stroll through a shaded route in Fairfax to raise funds for FPOW.
Sunday, Oct. 5, noon-3 pm
HernDOG Bark Bash
Town of Herndon
The first annual HernDOG Bark Bash offers pet lovers three hours of four-legged fun, with doggy demonstrations, competitions, an off-leash area, and various dog-themed vendors on site. Admission is free but fees may apply to some activities or services. If you’re looking for a new friend, A Forever Home will be conducting its weekly adoption event on-site!
HernDOG Bark Bash
Town of Herndon
The first annual HernDOG Bark Bash offers pet lovers three hours of four-legged fun, with doggy demonstrations, competitions, an off-leash area, and various dog-themed vendors on site. Admission is free but fees may apply to some activities or services. If you’re looking for a new friend, A Forever Home will be conducting its weekly adoption event on-site!
TBA
Pet Halloween activities
Multiple locations
Did you know? Our area has quite a few activities for pets around Halloween! Check our website again soon for a separate list just for these events!
Pet Halloween activities
Multiple locations
Did you know? Our area has quite a few activities for pets around Halloween! Check our website again soon for a separate list just for these events!
Sunday, Nov. 2, noon-2 pm
Caring Hands Animal Hospital Open House
Centreville location
The annual Caring Hands Animal Hospital Open House is a fun event for pets and their people, with pet activities, a prize wheel, costume parade, photo corner, and silent auction. Admission is free and proceeds raised from activities go to local animal charities.
Caring Hands Animal Hospital Open House
Centreville location
The annual Caring Hands Animal Hospital Open House is a fun event for pets and their people, with pet activities, a prize wheel, costume parade, photo corner, and silent auction. Admission is free and proceeds raised from activities go to local animal charities.
Remember to see our Pet-friendly Fairfax page for other events all year long!
Can I take my dog to leesburg county pool ?