South Carolina’s largest pet-friendly festival is back, featuring live music, brews, a chili cook-off and all the oysters you can eat. Charleston Animal Society’s Paws in the Park, presented by Fetch Pet Insurance, returns to Brittlebank Park on Saturday, March 21, from noon to 4 p.m., transforming the scenic waterfront into a four-hour celebration of animals, community and lifesaving impact.
Thousands of animal lovers will gather at 185 Lockwood Blvd. for a high-energy afternoon packed with entertainment. The musical lineup includes headliner FlashMob, promising to get the crowd dancing with ’80s and ’90s throwbacks, Motown, funk, disco, EDM, house and country. Before FlashMob, attendees can enjoy performances by country artist Lauren Hall and Gino Castillo’s Cuban Cowboys salsa band.
At the heart of Paws in the Park is Charleston Animal Society’s mission of bringing people and pets together. The event will feature a dedicated adoption area, giving attendees the opportunity to meet dogs in need of loving homes. Guests can also explore interactive mission moments highlighting the organization’s lifesaving programs, including foster care, spay-and-neuter services, humane education, the cat sanctuary and its nationally recognized No Kill South Carolina initiative.
Food and drink are a major part of the festivities. The Barks & Brews experience will feature beer from several participating breweries, along with wine and prosecco provided by Delicato. Beer will be supplied by Southern Crown Partners, with soft drinks and water also available. The popular Nutrl Zone, including Tito’s Vodka, will return, along with an oyster roast offering free oysters while supplies last — up to 125 bushels.
One of the most anticipated highlights is the chili cook-off, expected to bring together 25 local restaurants and teams competing for bragging rights while supporting a good cause. Participating teams will also take part in fundraising efforts leading up to the event to benefit animals in need. For those not interested in chili, two food trucks will be on site, with a portion of proceeds benefiting Charleston Animal Society.
The festival atmosphere continues with a VIP area catered by Dish & Design, sponsor activations and a full slate of children’s activities, including face painting, a stilt walker and bubble therapy — making Paws in the Park a family-friendly event. Lexi Horvath will serve as emcee, while DJ Boogie spins music from atop the Bud Light Build-a-Bar.
More than a festival, Paws in the Park is a celebration of compassion, community and the lifesaving work that happens every day at Charleston Animal Society. On March 21, attendees are invited to sit, stay and play all day.
Tickets
- Tickets are available at CharlestonAnimalSociety.org/PITP.
- General admission: $40 ($50 day of event)
- General Admission Plus: $55 ($65 day of event)
- General Admission Plus includes a commemorative glass and a 5-ounce beer sample from each participating brewery. A $15 Barks & Brews upgrade will also be available on-site.
Parking
- Discounted nearby lots
- ADA parking available
- Shuttle service provided by Coastal Limo
Event Details
- Saturday, March 21 | Noon–4 p.m.
- Brittlebank Park
- 185 Lockwood Blvd.
- Charleston, SC 29401