By Carolyn Noel, intern, UMass ’19
Susie Howard of Westfield is the creator and organizer of this event. (Photo by Carolyn Noel)
WESTFIELD- The fourth annual Ales for Tails fundraising Pub Crawl will be taking place Friday August 17 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m in downtown Westfield. Started by local resident Susie Howard, this 21+ event is a night of drinks, unity, and fun for a worthy cause. A ticket to attend is $30 and all proceeds are donated to the Westfield Regional Animal Shelter.
Susie Howard is a Westfield native and graphic designer with a passion for animals. With two rescue dogs of her own, Howard has a love and devotion to help animals in need. In 2015 Howard decided to start the Ales for Tails Pub Crawl in order to support Westfield’s animal shelter.
“I kind of just wanted to start a fun thing that went to a good cause. I just wanted to help the shelter make sure they have everything they need to take care of the animals,” she said.
Howard plans the annual pub crawl herself and does all the branding and designs for it. Those who purchased a ticket for the pub crawl before August 9 will receive a t-shirt designed by Howard, and those who purchase one after will be able to get custom koozies and coasters when they attend.
This year, the crawl will start at Skyline Trading Company where people can order drinks and snacks. Attendees will remain at each bar for about an hour and then, as a group, the next bar will be traveled to. After Skyline will be the Maple Leaf, and to finish up, the City Hotel. Though the crawl officially starts at 6pm, people are encouraged to join in at any time that works for them.
Howard emphasizes that there are a variety of ages that participate in the crawl, from a younger crowd to an older one. The night brings about new friendships and bonding, with everyone uniting for one common goal.
“The enthusiasm is definitely my favorite part. A lot of time you’re in this group with people who don’t totally know each other, but you’re all here for the same reason and the same cause. You’re all passionate about the same thing. You have this camaraderie walking around Elm Street with this big group of people,” Howard said.
Howard herself has no personal connection to the Westfield Regional Animal Shelter, but says that throughout the years she has gotten closer to them through this event. Some people who work at the animal shelter will even be attending the crawl to help support.
The first year the crawl had around 20-30 people attend, but this year the number has grown to 50+. Already, Howard has raised over $1,000 for the animal shelter.
“It kind of caught on. It’s a really fun night and it’s for a good cause and I think people have similar stories as me. People who rescued their dogs or have worked for shelters in the past and it’s nice.”
For more information about the Ales for Tails Pub Crawl be sure to check out their Facebook page, their website at alesfortails.org, or contact Susie Howard at [email protected] or 413.949.0772.
