Paws in the Park returns to Oronoco Bay Park in Old Town Alexandria this Sunday, October 11, running from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the largest Rescue Row in the festival's history, bringing together more than 20 animal welfare and rescue groups under one roof for a day of adoptions, music and fundraising.
The gathering marks the first Paws in the Park held in the park since 2024. According to Alexandria Times, more than 4,000 people turned out for the 2024 event. This year's event is hosted by the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria, not the neighboring Arlington organization as some earlier reports suggested, and the timing carries extra weight: AWLA was founded in 1946 and is marking its 80th anniversary in 2026, as The Alexandria Brief reports.
WJLA's Good Morning Washington previewed the festival this week, with AWLA's Erin Shackelford appearing alongside Lainey to describe how community support keeps the league's work going for animals and families across the region. The segment highlighted the day's live music, pet costume contest and kids' activities as centerpieces of what the station called Northern Virginia's largest fall festival for animal lovers.
Behind the Festival, AWLA's Shelter Work
Beyond the festival atmosphere, AWLA carries real civic weight. AWLA provides animal care, control and protection under contract with the City of Alexandria and runs the Vola Lawson Animal Shelter, the organization notes.
That capacity was tested this summer. In July, a power outage knocked out air conditioning at the shelter during a 100-degree heat surge, and staff and volunteers scrambled to move nearly 50 animals into emergency foster homes within hours, according to the same outlet's July coverage. The episode underscored how much the shelter leans on its local foster network when things go wrong.
Music, a Mobile Adoption Unit and a Guitar Signed by Taylor Swift
Sunday's lineup includes performances by Katie & Logan and the Symphony Orchestra of Northern Virginia. The pet costume contest will hand out prizes for spookiest, funniest and most creative looks, Alexandria Times reports.
The festival's silent auction, which opened for bidding online ahead of event day, includes a round-trip flight for a passenger and dog on RetrievAir, a seven-day Outer Banks vacation, and a guitar signed by Taylor Swift. Proceeds benefit AWLA, per the Brief's reporting.
Beer Garden and Food Trucks Round Out the Day
Local brewer Port City Brewing Company is running a dedicated beer garden at Oronoco Bay Park, pouring four craft beers alongside Lost Boy cider and local wines, with regional food trucks parked nearby, according to Port City Brewing. Festival admission and park entry remain free to the public.
