Tag Archives: BISSELL Blocktail Party

‘Best Dog-Gone Party in Town’ returns June 6

Citizen Journalism, Entertainment,

WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org

Pet lovers and their four-legged friends are invited to party with a purpose at BISSELL Pet Foundation’s largest annual fundraising event to reduce the number of pets in shelters and rescues nationwide through its lifesaving programs. BISSELL Blocktail Party® takes place on Tuesday, June 6, from 6-9 p.m. at the East Grand Rapids High School Track.

This year’s party, featuring a Western theme, promises to be a rip-roaring good time, featuring the return of live grilling with Celebrity Chef Paul Wahlberg of Wahlburgers. Partygoers should come hungry to enjoy tasty dishes from Terra, Mudpenny, Donkey Taqueria and other local restaurants. In addition, Tito’s Handmade Vodka will serve a new barkworthy cocktail for those 21 years or older.

Other party favorites: Adoptable dogs from area shelters; the highly anticipated silent auction with one-of-a-kind items including trips, art, pet-themed packages, and much more; spectacular beats by DJ AB; caricatures of furry friends by popular ArtPrize winner Chris LaPorte; toast-worthy wine pull; specially created Blocktail IPA (I Prefer Adoption) beer; and everyone’s favorite doggie bag stuffed with goodies for humans and pets.

“We are so excited for this year’s BISSELL Blocktail Party and hope the community will turn out on June 6 to celebrate and save pets’ lives,” said Cathy Bissell, founder of BISSELL Pet Foundation. “Blocktail is BISSELL Pet Foundation’s primary fundraising event, providing critical support to give homeless pets a second chance. The generosity of every sponsor and guest means we can reach more pets in more communities.”

100% of proceeds from BISSELL Blocktail Party will benefit pets in need through BISSELL Pet Foundation’s pet adoption, transport, spay/neuter, vaccination, microchipping, and crisis and disaster response programs.

Tickets to BISSELL Blocktail Party are available online for $100 per person and $50 for students with a valid student ID. A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase at the event for $125 each, which includes food and one drink ticket. Sponsors at $1,500 and above will receive access to Blocktail and an invitation to the BISSELL Sponsor Party on June 5, featuring a private performance by “Like A Cowboy” and “How Country Feels” hit song maker Randy Houser. Visit www.bissellblocktailparty.com for more details and to purchase tickets or sponsor. 

Best ‘dog-gone’ party in town: BISSELL Blocktail Party returns

3-bottom, Non-Profits, Our Cities, Pets/Animals, Recreation, Upcoming Events, , ,

By Philip Janowski
WKTV Contributing Writer

BISSELL Pet Foundation founder Cathy Bissell (Supplied)

The BISSELL Blocktail Party, West Michigan’s premier animal welfare fundraiser, is returning Tuesday, June 7. The last event in 2019 resulted in more than 1,000 guests — both human and canine — coming together to support homeless pets. Pet lovers and their four-legged friends are invited to this party with a purpose.

This year the event, which is from 6-9 p.m. at the East Grand Rapids track, will include live grilling with Celebrity Chef Paul Wahlberg of Wahlbergers. There will be adoptable pets from local shelters, including Labradors, Doodles, assorted puppies, and more. The popular silent auction is also returning with unique art and pet-themed packages.

Other attractions include DJ AB providing music, ArtPrize winner Chris LaPorte creating caricatures of furry friends, and even a specially created Blocktail IPA (I Prefer Adoption) beer.

“This year’s BISSELL Blocktail Party is going to be bigger and better than ever,” said Cathy Bissell, founder of the BISSELL Pet Foundation. “[The] Blocktail is BISSELL Pet Foundation’s primary fundraising event, providing critical support to give homeless pets a second chance. It wouldn’t be possible without the generous individuals who attend and sponsor the event.”

All of the proceeds will go directly to save homeless pets through grants from BISSELL Pet Foundation.

Besides a chance for fundraising, there’s good reason for celebration. In May, the BISSELL Pet Foundation announced a record number of adoptions for its National “Empty the Shelters” campaign. From May 2 to 15, more than 13,500 shelter pets in 45 states—approximately 6,035 cats and 7,469 dogs—were adopted through the event.

“Empty the Shelters” was created in 2016, and was originally hosted in just a few Michigan shelters. Since then, this event has grown to be BISSELL Pet Foundation’s most prominent program and the country’s largest funded adoption event. To date, “Empty the Shelters” has found homes for 96,068 pets and provided more than $7.6 million in direct funding to shelter partners.

“Right now, shelters are so full, and pets are experiencing longer stays,” Bissell said. “This is an expensive program for our small foundation, but it is a proven success. And we can’t turn our backs when we know we can save thousands of lives in one event.”

Tickets to the BISSELL Blocktail Party are available online for $100 per person and $50 for students with a valid student ID. Sponsors at $1,500 and above will receive tickets to the separate BISSELL Sponsor Party on June 6, which will have the talents of Lou Gramm and Asia featuring John Payne. Visit www.bissellblocktailparty.com for more details and to purchase tickets or be a sponsor for the event.