Bow Wow Film Festival Comes to Covington

COVINGTON, La (press release) – It won’t be long before Festival Season 2020 gears up in Louisiana, and this year, Covington is going to experience a new festival that is literally going to the dogs. The first ever Bow Wow Film Festival is set for Feb. 29 from 4-7 p.m. at the Fuhrmann Auditorium with proceeds going to two local humane organizations and a new foundation focusing on four-legged friends.

The Bow Wow Film Festival concept was conceived in Telluride, Colorado and travels around the country with host cities localizing it to reflect the culture of their area. The Covington Festival is being spearheaded by The Reverend Bill Miller, who is not only Rector of Christ Episcopal Church in Covington, but is also a storyteller, humorist and avid dog lover who recently formed The Howlelujah Foundation. The foundation is hosting the festival as a way for the community to come together to have fun and celebrate canine companions. The event will feature several short dog-centric films and include a reception with light refreshments, live music and silent auction. All proceeds will benefit the Northshore Humane Society, The Barn, which serves as a forever home on the campus of Christ Episcopal School for injured animals and The Howlelujah Foundation.

Fr. Bill’s love of dogs began years ago as he took in many strays to give them a second chance, and they in return have given Fr. Bill stories to tell; stories that are the basis of most of his writing. His first dog-centric work is “The Gospel According to Sam,” which is a collection of thirty animal stories for the soul. The book is dedicated to Fr. Bill’s Airedale, Sam, a lovable, “wounded healer” who survived a house fire that burned off his ears but couldn’t extinguish his spirit. He will soon release another companion-related book titled, “Tails from the Trail,” which highlights a cross-country book tour he did with his late terrier mix and faithful canine companion, Nawiliwili Nelson, better known as “Wili.” The trip was planned after Wili was diagnosed with cancer as way for Fr. Bill to spend time with his best friend and to remind people of what truly matters in life – our relationship with those we love. Though he had slowed a bit, he and Fr. Bill packed up the car and drove across the country on what affectionately became known as “The Last Howlelujah Tour – Wili’s ‘Barket’ List. It is that tour that Fr. Bill writes about in “Tails from the Trail.”

“I couldn’t think of a more fun and festive way for the community to come together to celebrate canine companions and to help those animals in needs,” Fr. Bill notes as he explains the motivation for launching this new event in St. Tammany Parish. He says he’s been moved by the number of people who are volunteering their time to help plan and organize the festival with the hope that this is the first of many Bow Wow festivals to come. It will also serve as the first fundraiser for The Howlelujah Foundation, a non-profit to help animals in need throughout the world. As Fr. Bills says, “In the spirit of Saint Francis, we honor our Creator by caring for all creation, especially our animal friends. We believe that every animal deserves a loving home and compassionate care.”

The Bow Wow Film Festival
Saturday, Feb. 29
4-7 p.m.
Fuhrmann Auditorium
128 W 23rd Ave, Covington

Tickets can be purchased online; there is a handling charge per ticket

Individual Ticket $15

Woofers (2 tickets, media recognition and promotional materials) $100

Waggers (4 tickets, media recognition and promotional materials) $250

Barkers (6 tickets, reserved seating, media recognition $500
and promotional materials)

Howlers (8 tickets, reserved seating, media recognition $1,000.00
and promotional materials)

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