Aspen Animal Shelter’s free carnival to celebrate community
Bland Nesbit/Courtesy photo
Aspen Animal Shelter is inviting the Roaring Fork Valley community — visitors and locals alike — to its annual Dog Day Afternoon Community Carnival to give back to the people who support it.
“What makes the shelter so beautiful is that the dog is the common denominator, whether you’re a millionaire or have $10 in the bank,” said Seth Sachson, executive director for the Aspen Animal Shelter. “The main thing with this is just community. It feels awesome, and it feels good to give back to everyone.”
Once an exclusive event with celebrity guests like Cesar Millan, $250 tickets, and $10,000 tables, Aspen Animal Shelter listened to its locals and has been providing an entirely free event for people of every age for years. This includes a free art station, bounce house, face paint, dunk tank, a tequila bar and a Woody Creek Distillery bar, a dog nail trimming station, local live band Midnight Lightning, consultations from Colorado State University vets, available trainers, local restaurant vendors, and a dog wash.
The dog wash has been a favorite part of past events for Bland Nesbit, who has been volunteering with the Aspen Animal Shelter since 1991.
“One year, we actually washed 75 dogs!” Nesbit said.
All friendly, leashed dogs are welcome, and there will be adoptable pets available. Nesbit confirmed that the shelter currently has two puppy litters and one kitten litter, in addition to its adult pet population.
The free event is provided by sponsors, which include Aspen Meadows Resort, The Aspen Times, Natural Balance, Alpine Bank, and Elizabeth Slossberg and EKS Events — who bring in almost all of the additional vendors that are donating time, food, drinks, and services:
- Hickory House
- Kidtoons Productions
- Midnight Lightning
- Barks Brothers
- Magic by Doc Eason
- Sant Ambroeus
- Woody Creek Distillers
- Rubey Rescue Run
- National Mill Dog Rescue
- Storm Help Pro
- Aspen Elevated Catering
- Entourage
- Garrett Popcorn
- Gardenista
- Agave Spirits
- City of Aspen (Aspen Police Department, Aspen Park Rangers, City of Aspen Animal Control)
- Pitkin County Sheriffs
- “Ask-A-Vet” (CSU Vets)
- “Ask-A-Trainer”
Those wishing to provide additional donations to the shelter can do so at friendsoftheaspenanimalshelter.kindful.com.
The Carnival will be happening from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. July 6 at 101 Animal Shelter Road in Aspen. There will be free canine-friendly shuttles to and from the shelter at the Gondola Plaza and Brush Creek Park & Ride.
”Everyone is invited,” Sachson said. “It’s fun for the whole family. We have something for everyone.”
