Weekend Wander: BarkBox + Madison Square Park Conservancy's First Annual "BarkFest"

Being a long time attendee of local film festivals and outdoor movie screenings, Holly and I wondered when someone would create a festival program designed specifically for pups. Our prayers were answered this weekend with the first ever BarkBox + Madison Square Park Conservancy "BarkFest," an evening of food, fun, and film under the stars in Madison Square Park.

We chose matching orange for the evening. Holly's polo, Ralph Lauren. My shirt, Threads For Thought. Headband, Jennifer Behr.

We arrived at the park at 6pm, right when the evening was starting, and were greeted by a portion of the park decked out specifically for pups, with a long stretch of astroturf dotted with plush dog beds, and booths along the side passing out treats by Bocce Bakery, BarkBox doggie friendly beer, and programs and crayons to keep the humans entertained. The Madison Square Park Conservancy had a booth with a raffle benefiting the park's beloved dog run (prizes included Shake Shack pup treats!). We claimed a couple pup beds and went to check out the people-friendly food offerings from Calexico and Shake Shack.

The scene was set for the paw-fect night out! Below: the raffle prize (left) and treats courtesy of BarkBox (right). 

While grabbing dinner, we were greeted by several pooches, including Thai the Boston, who looked simply smashing in a bow tie. More pup stars graced the stage of the event, including Hamilton Pug, Marnie the Dog, Pomsky Princesses, and Chloe the Mini Frenchie. After each pooch was introduced, attendees were able to pose for photos with them at a nearby step and repeat. Holly and I were having such a great time with our pals we decided to forego the step and repeat and instead headed back to our puppy beds, where we hammed it up for the professional photogs around for the event and befriended the pooches in our area. 

Holly and Lexie chill with some BarkBox pup-friendly brews. Above: the crowd checking out the celebre-dogs, one such dog, Thai the Boston, looked paw-sitively fabulous in his bowtie!

Henry knows his angles. This is a dog on his way to stardom!

After an introduction from BarkBox co founder Henrik Werdelin, it was time for the pups to silence their humans and settle in for the selection of short films! Holly was so tuckered out from all the playing she took a little cat nap, but our favorite film was the Pixar short Dug's Special Mission, featuring Dug the Dog from "Up."


After the movies wrapped up, we packed up our bags and said our goodbyes to our new pals. We love being a part of the New York City pup community, and the unique events like this one that we are able to attend as a result! We met so many amazing new friends and fellow animal lovers, and can't wait to go back again next year! What do you think of a pup friendly film festival? Will you try to make it out to BarkFest next year?
Until Next Time, Darlings!

Bark Box + Tuna Melts My Heart "Tuna Tour" Event!

As over 781,000 Instagram followers can attest, Tuna (@tunameltsmyheart), the tiny Chiweenie once found abandoned at the side of the road, is quite the special pup. So when Holly and I learned that BarkBox was hosting a meet & greet with Tuna at their New York offices, we knew we had to go say hello to her biggest celeb crush!

The event was running from 12-2pm, and we arrived around 1:15 to discover a line that wrapped around the block full of pup and people fans eager to meet Tuna! Luckily, the forecasted rain decided to stay away, and meeting fellow fans in line made the time pass quickly. Plus, our hosts at BarkBox were very accommodating--they came by with bowls of water for the pups (and bottles of water for the people), plus were on hand with treats and snuggles (exclusively for the pups), which made Holly one happy camper! Since she and I have braved the Shakespeare in the Park line together before, this wait felt like nothing, and before we knew it we were entering the building and taking the elevator up to BarkBox headquarters.

Patiently waiting to meet Tuna

A glimpse of the line from inside BarkBox HQ

By the time we got upstairs Tuna was no longer taking one on one photos (we weren't looking for that anyway, since Holly can be a very...enthusiastic playmate when she meets a new friend!), but there was still a line wrapping around the offices waiting to snap a photo. This gave us time to take in the very cool pup-themed space, complete with inflatable fire hydrants, doggie beds filled with toys, and a large photo of Andy Warhol with his pooch covering one wall. Holly was feeling the excitement of the crowd and was jumping all over our line neighbors and BarkBox employees who came to chat while we waited. Good thing everyone there was a dog lover!

The office space was so cool we had to get a picture. In the far corner are giant upholstered cubbies people and pups can lounge in!

Just before we met Tuna we were introduced to Marnie, a 12 year old Shih Tzu with an impressive Instagram following of her own. Marnie and her mom graciously agreed to a photo op with Holly, but the line waiting + excitement + all the pups in the room made Holly's posing skills fly out the window!

@MarnieTheDog has her posing skills DOWN. Holly refused to wear a hat, but she looks great anyway :)

Finally we arrived at Tuna's area. His mom and her friend were so sweet, first carrying Tuna into the crowd so everyone could get a few photos, then returning him to a little throne people could pose next to for a personal pic. While Tuna was in the crowd, he and Holly had a very long meet & greet/sniffing fest, and I definitely sensed a love connection! Sadly I was too busy playing wing mommy to capture the moment on film, but I promise it was very cute!

We did manage to (try) to pose for a photo with Tuna in his throne, but by that moment Holly had spotted a dachshund she was dying to play with. It seems she and I share the same curse of only taking terrible photos with celebrities, but we will always have the memories of those loving sniffs!

Neither of us can ever get a decent photo with a celeb. Oh well!

Before we left, we couldn't resist buying an official Tuna Melts My Heart mug and sneaking a peek at all the latest Bark Boxes out on display (Holly even worked the sad eyes until a sweet employee offered her a treat! Stinker!!). During the "Tuna Tour," new BarkBox subscriptions are 10% off, and $15 of each will be donated to the "Tuna Fund," which at the end of the tour will be split amongst 8 great rescue charities to help support their cause! We may be tempted to sign up with that in mind, and if you are as well you can check out barkbox.com/tuna for more info.

Obsessed with my official Tuna mug!

If you want to catch Tuna on the "Tuna Tour," be sure to follow @BarkBox and @TunaMeltsMyHeart on Instagram! And while you're over there, be sure you follow us @LittleHollysBigWorld for more wacky NYC adventures :)

Until Next Time, Darlings!