MacDorsa Park in Scotts Valley will go to the dogs on the afternoon of Saturday, May 17, as the park will play host the fifth annual Days of Wine and Wet Noses event from 1 to 4 p.m.
Hosted by Radio DJ Laurie Roberts of KFOX and KPIG fame, the event serves as a fundraiser for the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter as well as Unconditional Animal Love Rescue. One hundred percent of the proceeds are donated to both organizations.
Leashed dogs are welcome to the fundraiser that provides assistance to local groups that take in not only cats and dogs, but rabbits, horses, and others as well.
A member of the San Francisco Bay Area Radio Hall of Fame, Roberts said that she feels a need to give back to the community, and KPIG helped see her idea through.
“When I came up with this idea they backed me 100 percent,” Roberts said. “What’s going to keep local radio alive is their one-on-one connection with the community.”
The fundraiser was held at Skov Winery in Scotts Valley the previous three years, but moved to MacDorsa Park after the winery closed. Roberts said she was excited about the new venue.
“It’s the perfect location for an event like this,” Roberts said.
“It’s such a fun event,” Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter Director Melanie Sobel said. “It’s a great event to raise both awareness in the community and funds to help support our programs.”
A $15 admission includes wine tastings from Hallcrest Vineyards as well as samples from Cowboy Sausage of Monterey. The event will also showcase live music as well as a photo booth courtesy of Show of Life.
In addition, there will be a raffle with many prizes, including gift certificates to The Well Within Spa, San Francisco Giants tickets, a Jean Machi-autographed baseball, Ringo Starr tickets at the San Jose Civic, as well as various restaurants.
Roberts’ affinity for animals isn’t limited to her station’s call letters.
“If it’s named after an animal, I’m on it,” Roberts said, noting a desire to help those who can’t help themselves. “Animals and children have no voice, and no choice. What I am able to do is help animals out.”
“I’ve always had a passion for helping animals and I know that the rescue groups and the shelters always go begging,” Roberts said, who also hosts a Pet-of-the-Week segment on KPIG to showcase animals in need of a home.
Since its inception the event has raised close to $50,000 for charities and Roberts said she wants to raise, “a lot more.”
Roberts, who also does work for 104.3 FM The Hippo, says her time with KFOX helped shape her desire to help animals.
“Carol Chapman worked for a rescue in San Jose and she was the most upbeat, tireless, fearless wonderful glowing woman and she got me into this,” Roberts said.
Though Chapman has passed away, part of the proceeds go to the Carol Fund — which helps special needs animals.
In addition to the wine and food, live music will provide entertainment. There will be performances by Grammy-nominated artist Robert Berry, Paul Keller, Red Beans and Rice of Monterey, as well as The Coffis Brothers & The Mountain Men, will serve up what Roberts anticipates will bw a “tail-wagging, butt-shaking good time.”
