Joybound People & Pets is bringing its signature celebration of people and pets back to Broadway Plaza for the 26th annual Joybound Around Town on Broadway on Sunday, September 13, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260819726676/en/

A unique East Bay tradition, Joybound Around Town on Broadway invites families, animal lovers, and their four-legged companions to come together for an afternoon of live music, giveaways, wellness resources, family-friendly activities, and the event’s signature Paw-rade Walk. Each year, thousands of people participate in the celebration while supporting Joybound’s work helping pets and people thrive together.

Every dollar raised helps advance Joybound’s mission through pet rescue and adoption, accessible veterinary care, service animal training, therapy animal programs, vocational training, and community support services throughout Contra Costa County.

“Joybound Around Town on Broadway is a celebration of the extraordinary bond between people and pets and the powerful sense of community that bond creates,” said Susan Lee Vick, President and Chief Executive Officer of Joybound People & Pets. “For 26 years, this event has brought people together to celebrate animals while creating real opportunities for healthier, happier lives for pets and the people who love them.”

In the weeks leading up to the event, community members are encouraged to create fundraising teams with friends, family, coworkers, and fellow pet lovers. Teams can rally their networks, compete for prizes, and earn bragging rights while raising critical funds to support Joybound’s work.

The celebration kicks off with the Paw-rade Walk, a one-mile stroll around Broadway Plaza at 11 a.m. Participants can walk alongside their best friends (four-legged and two-legged!), rally their teams, and raise funds to help more animals find safe, healthy, and loving homes. Top fundraisers and teams will have the opportunity to win prizes.

Broadway Plaza will be transformed into a vibrant Pet Festival, featuring:

  • Best-Dressed Pet Contest: Does your pet have star power? Bring them to the main stage and let them strut their stuff in Joybound’s crowd-favorite costume competition.

  • Live Music & Entertainment: Enjoy live music and a festive atmosphere throughout the afternoon.

  • Pet Festival: Explore over 40 pet-focused booths, free wellness resources, family-friendly activities, and opportunities to meet adoptable animals.

  • Community Connection: Discover local animal organizations, resources, and ways to get involved in creating brighter futures for people and pets.

Joybound Around Town on Broadway reflects Joybound’s belief that the human-animal bond can create healthier, more connected, and compassionate communities. For over 25 years, the event has brought together neighbors, families, and animal lovers in celebration of the animals who enrich our lives and the people who come together to help them. From every wag and purr to every new connection and second chance, Joybound Around Town on Broadway is a reminder of what can happen when a community comes together with purpose.

Event Sponsors:

Special thanks to our event sponsors: Broadway Plaza Walnut Creek, Desired Effect PetFinder, Purina, and Diablo Valley Magazine.

Participating Shelters and Rescues:

The Arlo Foundation, Fresno Humane, Madera County Animal Services, Muttville Senior Dog Rescue, Norseld and Tiny Paws Pug Rescue

Full event details here: https://joybound.org/event/joybound-around-town-on-broadway-2026/

Media Opportunities:

Heartwarming. Visual. Community-focused. Media are invited to capture the energy and joy of Joybound Around Town on Broadway, Dynamic photo and video opportunities throughout the day including the Paw-rade Walk, pet costume contests, adoptable animals, and inspiring human-interest stories that showcase the powerful bond between people and pets. Interviews and images are available upon request.

About Joybound People & Pets:

Joybound People & Pets is a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the human-animal bond through rescue and adoption programs, pet-focused vocational training and community services that benefit animals and the people who care for them. Since 1991, Joybound has facilitated more than 55,000 pet adoptions and offers accessible veterinary services, animal training, education, and workforce development. Over the past three years, Joybound’s community impact efforts to serve and keep pet families together have grown to more than 441,212 impacts.

Media gallery

About The Author
Business Wire