Latitude 25 Blog

Canines and their human companions will gather for a good time and a good cause on March 10 at the 3^rd Annual Woofstock at Founders Park in Islamorada, Florida. The fund-raiser will feature live music, food, pet-centric shopping and special events, with proceeds benefitting presenter MarrVelous Pet Rescues & Adoptions.

The festival begins at 11 a.m. and ends at 7 p.m. Admission is free, but donations at the door are most appreciated! If you plan on attending — and you should — be sure to hit these highlights as you work your way around the park:

Blessing of the Pets

Every October, Catholic churches around the world celebrate St. Francis of Assissi’s love for animals with a blessing of the pets. Consider the one at Woofstock to be a booster blessing! The ceremony will take place at 11:30 a.m. at the Amphitheater.

Ultimate Air Dogs

What started as a Michigan dock-jumping club now reigns as one of the premier dock-jumping organizations in the country. You will have plenty of opportunities to see the Ultimate Air Dogs do their thing, and your pups will be invited to participate as well.

Latitude 25 Booth

The Islamorada store will stock its booth with a multitude of pet products including:

• Peace Out Dog Harnesses — With Woofstock’s theme of “Peace, Paws & Music,” you’ll want to slip this brightly colored harness on your pup immediately. Sizes for all dogs big or small!
• New! Pet Themed Tervis Water Bottles — Convey your canine pride while keeping your beverage (and yourself) cool with these fun water bottles.  Get a free, ice-cold bottle of water with your Tervis purchase at Woofstock.
• Rescue Tees – Show your support for animal rescue by wearing this tee! Paw print burnout short sleeve t shirt with "Rescue is my favorite breed" printed on the front. Not only is this a cute tee, but we will donate $1.00 of your purchase towards animal rescue.
• Dog Collars and Leads – We have all your favorite designers! Teddy the Dog, Up Country Collars and Leashes, Guy Harvey, and Douglas Paquette to name a few.  (The “Adopted” collar and lead by Up Country are personal favorites for this occasion!)

Adoption Booths

In addition to presenter MarrVelous Pet Rescues & Adoptions, the following organizations will have dogs in need of fur-ever homes.  Woofstock visitors looking to adopt from one of these great groups should  visit their websites to learn more:

• ORCAT
• Labrador Retriever Rescue of Florida
• Boxer Friends Inc.
• Big Hearts for Big Dogs Rescues
• Dachshund Rescue of South Florida
• This is the Dog
• Safe Harbor Animal Rescue of the Keys - Marathon
• The ZENA Fund

All well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome at the 3^rd Annual Woofstock at Founders Park. One final tip: Leave extendable leashes at home for this event, as it will be crowded and the danger of wrapping such a leash around someone’s legs exists. Don’t have any other kind of leash? Stop by Latitude 25, and the store’s helpful staff will help you pick out a collar and matching leash for your pup.

See you there!

What a month!

Everyone knows that Islamorada is the sport fishing capital of the world, but this month we really outdid ourselves! With the Bartender’s Sailfish Open, Islamorada SailFly, Cheeca Lodge Presidential Sailfish Tournament, Al Flutie Over the Hill Rip-Off Sailfish Tournament, and the Islamorada Fishing Club Sailfish Tournament on the calendar, we’ve had some very busy lures. 

Needless to say, this tiny, 5-mile island is truly an angler’s paradise, so to finish the month out in style, we’re pulling our lines out of the water to attend the 25^th Anniversary tour of the 2012 Salt Water Sportsman National Seminar Series, where you can lure tips and tactics from an amazing array of fishing gurus, gain intimate knowledge of prize fishing locales and captivate your fellow anglers with your fishing adventures.

If you’re someone who’s not too familiar with the wonderful world of sport fishing, the tour spectacular is a perfect introduction.  Making its stop at the Coral Shores Performing Arts Center on January 28^th, the seminar is specifically tailored to the region, so whether you're a local or simply looking for your next fishing expedition, the Islamorada Seminar should be your next port of call.

In addition to learning about area hot-spots, you’ll get detailed equipment advice, score inside information on inshore, nearshore and offshore salt water game fishing, as well as tidbits on our community’s dedication to safeguard salt water fishing for future generations.

As local proprietors in a small fishing village, the staffers at Latitude 25 are pretty passionate about the importance of responsible fishing for sustainable growth.  In fact, one team member is married to a captain, while another is an amateur angler himself – so it makes perfect sense that one of the brands we’re most enthusiastic about representing is the Guy Harvey Collection.

Marine biologist, conservationist and artist, Guy Harvey has a tremendous passion for fishing, and has committed his life to preserving the beauty of the underwater world. His Guy Harvey shirts are original-artwork clothing whose sales support the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation, which protects the world's fish resources and ocean biodiversity. The signature, short sleeve tees are perfect for everyday wear, while the performance shirts provide sun protection in breathable, quick-dry fabrics, perfect for a long day offshore.

Islamorada is pretty excited for Saturday. In fact, Liz’s husband has been more anxious than a kid at Christmas waiting for a day jam-packed with fishing, fun and facts.

Fifty-five bucks gets you in for six hours of fishing instruction, which includes your course book and a subscription to Salt Water Sportsman. Visit Salt Water Sportsman for more information, and book your ticket for a fantastic fishing extravaganza!