This ultimate picnic date for humans and their pups can be enjoyed by the beach or from the comfort of your home.
If you're running out of ideas for fun things to do with your pups, this new dog-friendly experience in Vancouver may be exactly what you're looking for.
PawSwap has announced its first Puppies & Picnics experience taking place this weekend in Kitsilano, and tickets are selling out fast.
The activity, powered by Charcuterie Vancouver, provides the ultimate picnic date for humans and their pups, and allows you to choose how, and where, to enjoy it!
Taking place at Spanish Banks on Sunday, September 27, 2020, attendees can pick up their human and doggy charcuterie boxes filled with delicious local products, and choose whether to enjoy a socially-distanced picnic by the beach with fellow dog owners, or to take them back to experience in the comfort of their own home.
“With COVID-19 and the haze that took over the city recently, we know there’s lots of bored pups out there so we wanted to create something special for dog parents to enjoy whether they feel comfortable in socially-distanced groups yet, or not,” says Melanie Englmaier, Event Planning and Community Coordinator at PawSwap. “Rain, haze, or shine, this picnic kit can be taken anywhere for an evening filled with feasting on fine foods for a party of two and your pup!”
Tickets are on sale now and cost $59 with an optional $5 donation to The Rescue Chain, a new Vancouver not-for-profit organization committed to reducing pet overpopulation and suffering of dogs through spay and neuter clinics.
Tickets include everything you need for the perfect picnic date and all items provided are from fantastic local BC companies.
Included is a human vegetarian cheese and charcuterie box for a party of two provided by Charcuterie Vancouver, accompanied by sauces, dips, sweets and Kombucha. Also included is a personal doggy charcuterie box made with love from the PawSwap team and filled with lookalike items so pups don’t feel left out, as well as picnic accessories to complete the experience. Check out the full list of items (worth over $130) here.
Attendees are invited to bring some cozy blankets and enjoy a delicious picnic with their pups and close friends on September 27, or they’re welcome to pick up their kits and enjoy a ready-made picnic date from the comfort of their own homes.
Event Details
When: Sunday, 27 September 2020, 4PM - 6PM
Where: Spanish Banks Off Leash Dog Area,
4783 Northwest Marine Drive,
Vancouver, BC V6T 1X8
Tickets: $59 (Optional $5 donation to The Rescue Chain)
Available to purchase here or through the PawSwap App.
Create your own Ultimate Picnic Experience by entering this massive VIP Puppies & Picnics Giveaway
You could win prizes worth over $700 with PawSwap's biggest contest yet.
Summer may be drawing to a close but before it does, why not create a picnic date for both you and your pup to enjoy?
Whether it's your garden, the beach, or a park, your picnic can always be a guaranteed success with great quality local products for both humans and pups,
Not sure where to get started? Here are a few simple steps to make any picnic a success, and some fantastic local products we love - as well as details on how you could win all of them!
Begin with the basics
Before even thinking about what delicious food your going to pack, it's important to start with the basics. No picnic is complete without a great (and water resistant!) picnic blanket, so if you don't have one already, we highly recommend the Navigator Picnic Blanket from Richmond company Kanata Blanket Co.
This versatile outdoor blanket has a durable, water-resistant exterior in heavy 600D oxford polyester, lined with Kanata fleece so is perfect for unpredictable Vancouver weather. This stylish blanket also folds up compact and has a shoulder strap and carry handle!
Obviously, no charcuterie style picnic is complete without a charcuterie board, and if you want one that's going to last, we recommend a custom-made board from Vancouver company Nakedwood Designs. The company hand-craft all the woodwork right here in Vancouver so you are guaranteed high quality items.
Nail the Accessories
As you're going to have your pup with you, a good quality microfiber cloth for those muddy paws is a must! We love the Wipe Up Cloths from North Vancouver company Bob The Dog as they are soft, absorbent and quick drying, as well as really cute!
For the humans, whatever you're drinking, if you'd like some guilt-free straws we highly recommended Straw-Ghetti products. The Coquitlam company combined their love of pasta and the planet to create straws made entirely from pasta that can stand tall in drinks for hours!
To elevate your picnic experience, candles can really add to the atmosphere when used safely. We're big fans of the candles from Vancouver company Brand & Iron. Their tinned candles are perfect for a picnic and they have a great selection or scents. If you are lighting candles at your picnic, be sure to keep your pup well away from the flames!
Food for You
Last but not least, the food selection for any picnic is the key to its success.
If you want a great selection, we highly recommend Charcuterie Vancouver - their grazing tables and charcuterie boxes will satisfy the pickiest eater, not to mention how Insta-worthy it is!
If you'd rather build your own picnic feast and are looking for some inspo for a fun selection of snacks, here are some of our favourites!
Cheeses - Cheese is the perfect picnic snack, and if you're vegan, you don't have to miss out! We love products from Vancouver plant-based cheese shop Blue Heron. They offer 100% dairy free, plant-based vegan cheeses so everyone can experience the yumminess!
Nuts - If you love nuts, then you need to try out the amazing selection from The Nut Merchant, located in Granville Island Public Market. Their dry roasted nuts include unique flavours like Maple Sriracha Pecan, Milk Salted Maple Caramel Hazelnut, Lime Chipotle Pistachio and many more savoury and sweet combos.
Nut Butters - Also a great choice for picnic snacks, we're big fans of Munch Nut Butter - an Abbotsford company that carries 100% natural nut butters including Macadamia Butter, Pistachio Butter, Tropical Nut Butter, Vanilla Latte Almond Butter, Pumpkin Seed Butter and many more. Sauces - Add some flavour to your meal with a selection of condiments. A great local choice is Surrey company Aji Gourmet Products.
Hummus and dips - Surrey company Habibis Mediterranean Foods makes delicious natural hummus, cashew dips and Lebanese spread, definitely worth checking out.
Kombucha - A perfect picnic drink, we'd recommend trying out Hoochy Booch - craft kombucha brewed in Vancouver that comes in a variety of delicious flavours.
Baked treats - Something sweet is always a good idea! We love Vancouver-based business Cookies and Company as they make delicious baked treats for humans and pups!
Treats for Your Pup
Food selection for your pup is equally important to ensure the experience is just as fun and relaxing for them as it is for you.
So, if you want some cute snacks that your furry bestie is guaranteed to enjoy, these local companies all have a wide selection of doggy treats that will help you build a replica charcuterie board for them!
This and That Canine Co. - Proudly Canadian company that makes delicious, human-grade, all natural treats and chews for our furry friends.
Anipet Animal Supplies: A Canadian owned and operated distribution company that offers a huge selection of dog treats.
Better Bickies: Adorable organic dog treats made by a family-run business in Squamish.
Dope Dog : A quality Canadian wellness line offering CBD calming treats and oils that dogs love.
For details on how to win products from all the companies mentioned above, as well as a FREE ticket to the Puppies & Picnic event this weekend, click here.