Pet Lovers Rejoice at the Peaks and Paws Festival this August

Enjoy a weekend with man’s best friend featuring live bluegrass, wine tasting and mountain events

[Squaw Valley USA] August 8, 2011 – The Village at Squaw Valley is paying tribute to man – and woman’s – best friend with the 2nd Annual Peaks and Paws Festival on Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28, 2011. Dogs and their owners can enjoy lively bluegrass music, delicious wine and an array of events and demonstrations specifically designed for furry friends. A line-up of some of the region’s most popular bluegrass acts will play in The Village each day from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., with outdoor events kicking off earlier in the day. All of the proceeds from the festival will benefit the Humane Society of Truckee-Tahoe.

The Dead Winter Carpenters will headline the festival along with a lineup of hit bluegrass acts including Montana Slim String Band and Brothers Comatose. The music compliments the perfect setting for sipping wine, sampling craft beers and enjoying the stunning mountain views.

The Peaks and Paws Festival hosts an evening wine tasting in The Village at Squaw Valley from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on both Saturday, August 27 and Sunday, August 28—featuring savory and unique wines from 12 vineyards. The wine tasting costs $25 per day, with all proceeds benefiting the Humane Society. Refreshing Lagunitas beers are also available for $4 from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The festival’s pet-partner events will kick off on Saturday, August 27 with the Mutt Strut – a 3K run for dog owners and pets. The run will start and finish in front of Squaw Dogs in The Village. The Mutt Strut costs $5 to enter, with all proceeds benefitting the Humane Society. People without pets are also welcome.

Peaks and Paws welcomes two new pet-friendly hikes this year. On Saturday, August 27, people and pets can join a guided hike around High Camp, exploring the wildflowers and wildlife that live at el. 8200 feet. On Sunday, August 28, there will be a guided hike through the cascading waterfalls of Shirley Canyon. Both hikes start at 1 p.m. and are free of charge, though a Cable Car ticket is needed to access Saturday’s hike.

Sunday, August 28 also welcomes Peaks and Paws’ inaugural Fetch Fest at Cushing Pond. Starting at 3 p.m., the Fetch Fest will be a timed ball retrieval contest to see which dog can retrieve the most tennis balls from Cushing Pond before the time runs out. The Fetch Fest has a $5 entry, with all proceeds benefitting the Humane Society.

To further support the Humane Society and those pets in need, this year pets can get their very own “Pet Pass” to ride the Cable Car. While the summer Cable Car is free for all well behaved and leashed pets, a minimum $15 donation to the Humane Society now gets dogs and cats their very own novelty pass with their picture on it. Pet Passes can be purchased in Squaw Valley’s Special Tickets Office.

Weekend Music Line-Up

Saturday, August 27
2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. - Kate Gaffney Duo
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. - Montana Slim String Band
6 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Dead Winter Carpenters

Sunday, August 28
2 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. - Greenstone Quarry
4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. - Blisses B
6 p.m. - 8 p.m. - Brothers Comatose