This year, Pflugerville library's Pawject Runway combines best of both worlds
In October 2019, the Pflugerville Public Library hosted its first Pawject Runway as a maker program for families, with their canine models, to construct a look of their choice. The past two years this event has been opened to all pets in our virtual runway presentations. Marking the fourth consecutive display of community creativity and pets of all kinds, 2022 Pawject Runway is merging formats. Through both an in-person maker program for a limited number of well-behaved canine models and a virtual runway showcase open to pets of every kind.
Any pet parent can participate by registering online at bit.ly/3C8J4kf before Oct. 28 to have your pet included in the virtual runway. A short pet bio and description of the look being worn is asked for at registration. Photos or a short video of no more than 30 seconds should then be emailed to margaretm@pflugervilletx.gov by Friday, Oct. 28.
Entries will be compiled and recorded with a voiceover describing the model and outfit. Our runway showcase will air on the library YouTube channel and Facebook page at 6 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31. Join in and cheer for your favorite looks or your own pets. Visit the library YouTube channel now to watch previous virtual runways.
Included in the showcase will be looks modeled by participants in the maker program happening Saturday, Oct. 29, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the library. Registration for this event also opened online on Oct. 1 at bit.ly/3BFgMMA. Space will be available for eight teams of humans with a well-behaved dog model. At least two human helpers are encouraged so that your model gets their necessary attention during construction.
Materials needed to create a look will be provided at the event. From an array of fabrics, embellishments and even T-shirts to nontraditional materials like cardboard and duct tape for you to build a more structured look. That first Pawject Runway saw things like simple tulle mermaid tails right next to a cardboard shark fin.
This program was always planned to be an annual event in October, the proximity of Halloween encouraging more costume creation than traditional fashion statements. Results can even prep pets for participating in trick-or-treating. In 2021, Pascal the bearded dragon was a perfect penultimate model trying to decide on his final look of the season.
Pawject Runway has also been an opportunity to highlight animals from the local shelter and paring it with a recognition of National Adopt a Dog Month. American Humane has celebrated the month since 1981, bringing awareness to the millions of adoptable animals in shelters.
Should you be thinking of adding a new pet to your family, there are several great local adoption groups and our own Pflugerville Animal Welfare Services with all kinds of animals looking for loving homes.
Families interested in dressing up themselves on Oct. 29 are encouraged to attend the PAWS Trunk or Treat from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 1600 Waterbrook Dr. At this event children are invited to come and collect candy from the various trunks of supporting vendors. A great opportunity to visit the shelter in costume and have some early Halloween pfun!
Check the city event calendar throughout the year for other animal and pet-friendly programming like monthly Kitty Cafés at the library featuring adoptable felines from PAWS. The Pflugerville Library welcomes well-behaved pets inside and encourages guests not to leave their pets in cars even if you think you’ll only be visiting for a short time.
Get those looks or design ideas ready for your pets to model in the fourth annual Pawject Runway and let’s kick off Halloween with some animal filled fun.
Meg Miller is the adult services librarian at the Pflugerville Public Library.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: This year, Pawject Runway combines the best of both worlds at Pflugerville Library
