Picnic fundraiser set for July 14
Published 8:51 pm Wednesday, July 4, 2012
The Suffolk Humane Society is holding a fundraiser in North Suffolk on July 14 with something for every member of the family — even those with four legs.
Next Saturday will mark the society’s first Passion for Paws Picnic and Whiskers Wine Tasting.
The society hopes to make it an annual affair after deciding to hold the next Mutt Strut, another popular Suffolk Humane event, next spring.
The event will be held this year at the River Stone Chophouse, 8032 Harbour View Boulevard, which is sponsoring the event with its sister restaurant the Vintage Tavern. Gourmet picnic food, fine wines and entertainment will be on offer from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The menu includes ground Angus beef burgers and house-made hotdogs as well as treats for pets, and more than 10 wines will be available for tasting.
The event will also feature a silent action and prize drawings, including one for a $300 gift basket. Well-behaved, vaccinated pets attending the event can take home their very own souvenir paw print, after stepping into a mold.
Jack Russell stunt team The Flying Jacks — a popular attraction at the last Mutt Strut — will entertain with precision stunts.
One of its organizers, Teresa Mullins, said the event is in memory of two dogs she and her husband rescued. Both of the pooches died in February.
“One was older and the other … we just didn’t realize had a disorder,” Mullins said.
Mullins hopes the event will be the first of many, but “you can’t say until the second one happens. But that’s our intention.”
Mullins encouraged those planning to attend to purchase advance tickets, $15 for food and $20 for wine tasting, to help with planning.
Tickets at the door will be $20 for food and $25 the for wine tasting.
Advance tickets can be purchased at the Chophouse or the Vintage Tavern (the tavern is at 1900 Governors Pointe Drive); the Suffolk Humane office, 4300 Nansemond Parkway; or at Mike Duman Auto Sales, 2300 Godwin Blvd.
Rescued puppies and kittens and cats and dogs will also be available for adoption, and tickets are not required to stop by and see them.
Hurley, noting that Mutt Strut was postponed because it conflicted with other events, said, “We’re really excited about this event, because we obviously need funds, and this will help us raise money, and it’s a wonderful event to support our cause.”
Visit www.riverstonechophouse.com for more information on the event, and www.SuffolkHumaneSociety.com for information on the group’s activities and to view the up-to-date photos of the adoptable animals at Suffolk Animal Control.