PAWtoberfest is almost upon us, with local beer and local music for a good local cause.
The annual fundraiser will take place Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Place to Be, a new tavern near the corner of Seventh and J streets in Hoquiam. There’s no entry fee, but of course donations will be gladly accepted for PAWS of Grays Harbor, the local no-kill animal shelter.
“We hope to pack the house and get our money mainly from the silent auction and the drawing,” said Molle Bouch, board president of PAWS.
The silent auction will include a commercial-size Pepsi fridge, high-dollar gift certificates, gift baskets valued at $100 to $300, and much more.
“Also, Westport Winery and Brady’s Oysters are doing this awesome fresh seafood platter so you’d have fresh seafood that night to take home,” said Bouch. “And Companion Animal Hospital donated a year of kitten or puppy care, which is worth $500. That’s all the shots, the spay/neuter, all their checkups — that’s a huge thing.”
In addition to the silent auction, two special prizes will be raffled off — “but we’re kinda keeping those a secret,” smiled Bouch.
The Hoquiam-based Feelin’ Good Band will perform a mix of 1980s and ’90s favorites, jazz, blues and more.
“Sometimes they throw in a country song just to throw you off,” laughed Bouch. “They’ve got something for everyone.”
A beer garden will be set up in the back, featuring Steam Donkey specialty brews and Tart Hard Cider from Olympia.
All proceeds will go toward the purchase of an animal transport van to replace PAWS’ worn-out 2006 Ford E-450 Super Duty.
“I think just in the last year, we’ve put $7,000 into our PAWS van (for repairs), and over the years it’s been a lot,” said Bouch. “And it’s a diesel; it gets about 5 miles to the gallon. It’s time to retire it and get something more efficient.”
She said the van budget is $15,000 to $20,000, so that’s the fundraising goal for PAWtoberfest.
“It’s not like we’re asking for the moon,” she said. “”We’re not going to get something super expensive. We can buy one used and buy a warranty.”
Bouch noted that even though most of the dogs are now housed full time in the new on-site kennels, they still need to be transported to and from the vet and the Freedom Tails program.
PAWtoberfest is restricted to those 21 and older. Sorry, no dogs are allowed either (except for service dogs).
The Place to Be is at 710 J St. in Hoquiam, the former site of the Black Pearl. The tavern’s co-owner, Penny Eubanks, is a PAWS board member.
For more information, visit the Facebook event page.
