NEWS RELEASE
Man’s best friend takes center stage with DockDogs competition, free Freshpet food samples, dog adoption day and more; attendees encouraged to bring their dogs to the event
BETHLEHEM, PA—Step Outdoors Lehigh Valley, the family-focused outdoors festival that debuted at SteelStacks in 2015, is going to the dogs this year with “Freshpet Doggie Days” designed to encourage attendees to bring along man’s best friend to enjoy all the excitement and activities. This year’s Step Outdoors event, set for June 4-5, will feature several attractions and activities that are geared toward pet parents and their dogs, including the Keystone DockDogs canine diving competition, free Freshpet food samples, and a dog adoption day presented by a local animal rescue shelter.
Highlighting Step Outdoors 2016 is the Keystone DockDogs competition at SteelStacks presented by Freshpet, makers of fresh, real food for pets. The competition, which takes place June 4 and 5 starting at 9 a.m., features amazingly athletic dogs performing high-flying feats as they leap into a 40-foot swimming pool set up on SteelStacks’ Air Products Town Square. During the two days of the competition, professional dock dogs will go paw to paw as they compete in categories designed to showcase the highest leap, longest jump and quickest retrieve. On June 4, festival attendees can even get in on the action by having their dogs try a jump in the pool with an open public jump from 6-6:30 p.m.
All pet parents, especially those who bring their dogs to the event, are invited to visit the Freshpet Food Truck, the first fresh food truck made just for dogs, where Freshpet team members will be handing out free samples of their fresh, all natural dog food. Freshpet will also provide a unique backdrop and fun props for a family photo opportunity, so you can share your Step Outdoors experience instantly with friends. Just be sure to make the Freshpet Food Truck your first stop of the day, because the first 125 dogs who visit each day will receive a free Freshpet Step Outdoors Doggie Bandana.
For children who want to explore their creative side, there’s also a Doggie Bandana Design Workshop both days at 11 a.m. During this hands-on workshop, kids will work with artist Natalie Hartmann to design colorful bandanas using fabric markers and textile designs. The end result is a work of art, perfect for pets big and small. Workshop cost is $10 and advance signups can be done at www.steelstacks.org/stepoutdoors.
Step Outdoors is also the perfect place to search for a new pet as the festival hosts a dog adoption event June 4. During the day, the dogs and staff of the Sanctuary at Haafsville in Breinigsville will be on hand, and attendees are invited to stop by and check out the wonderful animals, all of whom are in need of a forever home.
Can’t wait for the outdoorsy fun of Step Outdoors? Freshpet and ArtsQuest want you and your dog to get a running start by taking part in the Freshpet Step Outdoors Contest running May 24-June 5. To enter, visit www.steelstacks.org/stepoutdoors and submit your email address for the chance to win the Freshpet Grand Prize Gift Pack featuring $100 in free Freshpet food coupons; three runners-up will also receive a $25 Freshpet gift pack.
“We are so excited to be a part of the Step Outdoors festival this year,” says Courtney Groome, Director of Marketing at Freshpet. “Getting fresh air and exercise in the great outdoors, along with eating a fresher, less processed diet, is the perfect recipe for a happier, healthier life for both people and pets.”
Step Outdoors Lehigh Valley presented by Lehigh Valley Zoo is a free festival designed to encourage children and families to get outdoors, as well as learn about the many wildlife, outdoors and conservation-focused groups working in the region. This year’s festival will feature more than 35 groups offering presentations and hand-on activities related to archery, urban birding, cycling/biking, gardening, geocaching, hiking, nature photography, bird box building and more. For more information, visit www.steelstacks.org/stepoutdoors.
About Freshpet
Freshpet has a single-minded mission – to improve the lives of dogs and cats everywhere through the power of fresh, natural food. Packed with vitamins and proteins, Fresh pet foods offer fresh meats, poultry, and vegetables farmed locally. The Freshpet Kitchens then thoughtfully prepare these natural ingredients and everyday essentials, cooking them in small batches at lower temperatures to preserve key nutrients. That way, your pet gets the best. Freshpet refrigerated foods and treats are kept cool from the moment they are made until they arrive at Freshpet refrigerators in your local market.
Freshpet foods are available in select mass, grocery, natural food, club, and pet specialty retailers across the United States and Canada. From the care Freshpet takes to source their ingredients and make their food, to the moment it reaches your home, Freshpet’s integrity, transparency and social responsibility are the way they like to run their business. To learn more, visit www.freshpet.com.
