Exploring Dog-Friendly Fairfield, Westchester and Beyond
Old Town Hall Green
611 Old Post Road
Fairfield, CT, 06824
Website: https://www.ppwpet.com/events
Activities: Walking, Dog Socializing, Dog Show
Last Visit: 2022
Notes: Another wonderful event sponsored by Pet Pantry Warehouse. The two “Dog Days” events (the other is in New Canaan) are like mini-Puttin’ on the Dog shows. Vendors, activities and fun for humans and pups.
New Canaan Nature Center
144 Oenoke Ridge
New Canaan, CT, 06840
Website: https://www.ppwpet.com/events
Activities: Walking, Dog Socializing, Dog Show
Last Visit: 2019
Notes: Another wonderful event sponsored by Pet Pantry Warehouse. The two “Dog Days” events (the other is in Fairfield) are like mini-Puttin’ on the Dog shows. Vendors, activities and fun for humans and pups.
2 Sawmill City Road
Shelton, CT 06484
Website: https://www.fairviewtreefarm.com/
Activities: Walking
Last Visit: 2019
Notes: Start a family tradition bringing your dog with you to cut down a Christmas Tree! Plenty around for your pup to sniff, including a few farm animals. Activities for the whole family. And, of course, the main event – arguing with your family members for hours on end over size, coverage and shape of tree after tree until finally landing on one of the first two you looked at. How can you resist? It is fun though.
Greenwich Avenue
Website: https://www.greenwichartscouncil.org/art-to-the-avenue
Activities: Walking
Last Visit: 2023
Notes: A wonderful spring event – stores and galleries up and down Greenwich Ave participate to showcase local artists. Free appetizers (and usually adult beverages) abound. It is strongly recommended to go in a group of two or more. Not every venue is dog friendly, so one having one person to stay with the pup while the other visits the exhibitions greatly helps.
Roger Sherman Baldwin Park
100 Arch Street
Greenwich, CT 06830
Website: https://adopt-a-dog.org/puttin-on-the-dog/
Activities: Dog Show, Dog Socializing, Walking
Last Visit: September, 2024
Notes: Not to be missed event. Adopt-A-Dog’s signature fund raising event is filled with vendors, exhibitions, food trucks and events for humans and dogs alike. One of the highlights are the competitions – fun categories like “Mixed with the Most,” “Aged to Perfection” and “Best Kisser.” All the money raised goes to support the Adopt-A-Dog shelter operations.
Binney Park
Old Greenwich, CT
Website: https://www.greenwichct.gov/493/Special-Events-Concerts
Activities: Dog socializing, walking
Last Visit: July, 2019
Notes: Usually held on July 3rd. Like the Summer Concert Series, town recommends against bringing pets – but there doesn’t seem to be a problem with well behaved dogs attending.
Ok, this one might be a little controversial (I did get a rather rude comment from someone one year), but if you know your dog is non-reactive to fireworks, then this can be a great event to attend together.
We learned fairly early on that our pupper is not bothered one bit by fireworks, thunder or the vacuum cleaner – the typical dog phobias (she is, however, terrified of the printer… go figure). We started bringing her to the Binney Park 4th of July fireworks every year.
It’s always a wonderful time, we walk around while the band plays patriotic music and then settle in for the show. We tend to stay towards the back of the park just so the fireworks aren’t right over-head and deafening.
We usually see a few other dogs in attendance, but if your dog prefers human attention over other canines, you can be sure they’ll get plenty.
Again – this is NOT the event for every dog. Be very sure of how your dog will react, take precautions and have a plan before attending. If you have a dog that doesn’t mind the noise and you build in a nice long walk, this is sure to be a good time.
