In its 10^th and most successful year, the BISSELL Blocktail Party continues to be the BEST DOG-GONE Party in town. On June 9, 2015, upwards of 900 party goers and their four-legged friends convened on the lawn of Mangiamo!. Thanks to beautiful sunshine and great weather, the party was a smashing hit raising half a million dollars to support the BISSELL Pet Foundation.

“The stars aligned for us this year,” said Cathy Bissell, founder of the BISSELL Pet Foundation and creator of the BISSELL Blocktail Party. “We had the perfect storm without the storm. We knew we wanted to raise more money, but never imagined we would double funds raised from last year.  We could not have done it without the amazing support from our volunteers and most importantly our community!”

The record-breaking party evening went to the dogs in so many ways. Pooches dined on tasty yappetizers, drank from over-sized dog bowls and posed for pictures with their much taller best friends. Mangiamo!, the gracious host of the event and avid community partner, was transformed into a pet paradise by Grand Rapid’s top designers. Event participants were treated to caricatures of their pets drawn by local 2010 ArtPrize winner, Chris LaPorte, and were in invited to bid on one-of-a-kind silent auction items.

The Blocktail committee contribute much of the event’s success to the many generous sponsors. Top sponsors kicked off their Sunday shoes and were treated to a special private concert with a celebrity guest band at the VIP Sponsor Party on June 8. The Blocktail Eve evening raised nearly $60,000 of total funds during its live auction.

“This event has been part of our community for 10 years and we hope we can show a significant reduction in the number of pets in need of homes in the next 10 years,” said Heather Garbaty, co-chair. “Everyone who attended the party or supported our cause came through to make a difference for pets. That’s why this party is so special.

SEE More About the 2015 Blocktail Party in the Press:

• MLIVE.com: $500k goes to the dogs (and cats) as BISSELL Blocktail Party sets new record 8/13/15
• PressUnleashed: BISSELL Blocktail Party smashes previous fundraising record 6/11/15
• MLIVE.com: Canine closeups: Adorable photos, video from 2015 Blocktail Party 6/10/15
• Women’s Lifestyle Magazine: BISSELL Blocktail Party Photos 6/10/15
• WZZM13: Wine and Dine with Your Pets in Eastown 6/9/15
• WOODRadio: Partnering Up for Pets 6/8/15
• MLIVE.com: Top 5 things to do around Grand Rapids include John Mellencamp, Lindsey Stirling, and Blocktail Party 6/8/15
• Fox17: BISSELL Blocktail Party to benefit local animal organizations 6/6/15
• RapidGrowth: Blocktail 10: Your best friend’s fav event 6/4/15
• Fox17: 10th Annual Bissell Blocktail Party – June 9 6/2/15
• WZZM13: Annual “Blocktail” Party raises money for displaced animals 5/31/15
• PressUnleashed: BISSELL Blocktail Party Marks a Milestone pg 14-16 May/June
• WOTV4: BISSELL Blocktail Party turns 10-that’s 70 in dog years 4/6/15