Burt and Lisa Weed listen to The Old Souls as part of several activities offered Saturday at Woofstock, a special event to raise funds for the Humane Society Waterville Area on Webb Road in Waterville. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel
WATERVILLE — There were no hippies dancing to music and touting unity and peace, but the first Woofstock held Saturday at the Humane Society Waterville Area did serve to raise funds and spread awareness about animals that need homes and a lot of love.
Like Woodstock, a giant party held in August 1969 on a dairy farm in upstate New York, Woofstock was hosted in a rolling, freshly mown field next to the animal shelter off Webb Road. There were lots of live bands, food, games and animal toys, clothes and other cat and dog paraphernalia for sale.
“It’s awesome,” said Burt Weed.
Weed and his wife, Lisa, both animals lovers who have a female Russian Blue cat named “Boo,” drove all the way from Mattamiscontis Township, near Lincoln, to attend Woofstock. The nearly two-hour trek was worth it, they said, sitting in folding chairs in a field under a sunny sky, listening to the band, Old Souls.
“I just happened to see this on Facebook — somebody shared it — and I thought, what a relaxing afternoon, and for a good cause, so we decided to come,” Lisa Weed said.
Isaac Mercier, 22, and Ashton Harrington, 18, of Benton, had a much shorter trip to Woofstock. They heard about the event from a musician who performed Saturday, they said. They had just ordered pizza and were listening to the music.
“It’s great — it’s a fun time,” Mercier said.
Harrington said the event was for a great cause.
“It’s supporting the idea of animals having good conditions and homes and plenty of food, so this is a good thing,” he said.
Rae-Ann Demos, executive director for the Humane Society Waterville Area, talks about the Woofstock fundraiser Saturday on Webb Road in Waterville. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel
The shelter’s director, Rae-Ann Demos, said the facility has been very busy, especially with cats.
“We have about 80 cats in house and foster care,” she said. “A lot of moms and kittens that are fostered out.”
She said she and other shelter officials had seen Woofstock held at various shelters and decided to put their own twist on the event in Waterville.
Tickets were $20 online and $25 at the entrance, with proceeds going to animal care. Demos said the shelter is always in need of donations of cat litter, cat and dog food, laundry detergent and wood pellets which are used as cat litter.
Demos also wanted to spread awareness about the importance of people spaying and neutering their pets.
“Shelters get inundated with cats this time of year,” she said.
Ashton Harrington plays a round of corn hole Saturday as part of several activities during Woofstock, a special event to raise funds for the Humane Society Waterville Area on Webb Road in Waterville. Michael G. Seamans/Morning Sentinel
Woofstock, which was scheduled to conclude at 9 p.m. Saturday, included a beer garden hosted by Drip City Arcade Bar, games including corn hole and vendors selling T-shirts, dog treats and collars, brushes and pens. Besides Old Souls, bands scheduled to perform were Tyler Healy Band, Papa Tim and the Desperate Men, Bad Daddy, River Bottom Funk, and Cryin’ Out Loud. Food vendors included Texas Backyard BBQ, Sheba’s Wicked Kitchen, Whoof-ie Pies, Cruzin Slice, I’d Wrap That, and The Daily Dish.
Maine Technology Group partnered with the Waterville shelter as an event sponsor and pledged to match all donations up to $20,000.
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