Tails On Trails Festival 2025

🐾 Tails on Trails Fest – A Hike to Save Pets

Saturday, October 25, 2025
Baker Creek Preserve – Knoxville, TN

Tails on Trails Fest is more than just a hike—
it’s a heartfelt gathering for pet lovers, nature seekers, and anyone who wants to make a difference in the lives of animals.

Whether you’re walking in honor of a beloved pet or simply showing up to support the cause, every step helps save lives.

🌟 What's New in 2025?

✅ Expanded Vendor Market: Explore booths from local pet brands, artisans, trainers, wellness pros, and more.

✅ Free Pet & Hiker Portraits: Get a professional digital photo of you and your pet, courtesy of Knoxville Pet Photography—with optional branded frames from our sponsors.

✅ Pet Demos & Wellness Sessions: Catch short, live demos like canine training, pet massage, enrichment ideas, and more.

✅ Pet Loss Memorial Walk & Ceremony: Join us for a peaceful 1-mile loop to honor pets we’ve loved and lost. Write a message for our memory wall, reflect during a short guided ceremony, and walk with others who understand the deep bond we share with our animals.

✅ Golden Paw Awards: Nominate your favorite veterinarian for a special community-chosen award. We’ll celebrate the winners live at the event!

🥾 The Tails on Trails Hike

Choose your own trail adventure!
All levels welcome—2 or 4 mile marked trail options.

🧺 Carry 10 pounds of pet supplies in your backpack as a symbolic tribute, or simply bring donations to drop off. Supplies will go to local shelters in need.

💖 Why We Hike

We're raising $25,000 for the Nomar and Mia Compassion Fund, a brand new endowment through the University of Tennessee Veterinary Department. This fund will provide financial assistance for low-income cat parents in emergency situations—because no one should have to choose between their pet’s life and a vet bill.

The event honors Mia and Nomar, two senior rescue cats who changed our founder’s life. Mia lived to 20 and Nomar to 16—and now, their legacy lives on through every pawstep we take together.

🐶 Adopt, Donate, Connect

✅ Adoption Booths
Meet cats and dogs from local rescues looking for their forever homes.

✅ Food Trucks & Music
Fuel your day with delicious eats and good vibes.

✅ Memory Wall
Write a note of gratitude or remembrance for a pet you’ve loved and lost.

📍 Details

🗓 Saturday, October 25, 2025
📍 Baker Creek Preserve, 3700 Lancaster Dr, Knoxville, TN

💵 Hiker registration is donation-based—suggested minimum: $25
🐕 Bring your pets, your backpack, and your love for animals

Be sure to grab any goodies and say thanks to our vendors before heading out!

🗓️ Event Schedule – Tails on Trails Fest 2025

8:30 – 9:30 AM – Hiker Check-In and Pet Supply Drop Off. Check-in, drop off pet supply donations, browse vendors, and get ready to hike!

8:30 AM – Vendor Market Opens + Live Music Begins
(Market and food trucks: 8:30 am to 1:00 pm)
Stroll through our pet-themed market, enjoy food trucks, and vibe with local music.

8:45 AM Pet Demo - Circus Dog Training
From pet training tips to treat tricks—catch a variety of fun and educational showcases throughout the event.

9:00 AM – (Gather at 8:55 am) 1-Mile Pet Loss Memorial Walk & Ceremony
Take a peaceful loop in honor of pets we’ve lost, with a moment of reflection and community remembrance.

9:15 - 9:30 AM Memorial Wall
Hang up pictures and tributes of pets you've lost or any you would like to honor. You can do this as you come back from the Memorial Walk or even if you don't do the walk.

9:30 - 9:45 AM Pre-Hike Stretch
Get warmed up and ready to hike with a quick stretching session by Lindsay from Climbing Roots Bouldering Gym.

9:45 AM – Main Hike Begins 4 mile group

10:00 - Main Hike Begins 2 mile group

11:00 AM Pet Demo - Crooked Ear Treatery
From pet training tips to treat tricks—catch a variety of fun and educational showcases throughout the event.

11:30 AM - Noon – Golden Paw Recognition Awards
Celebrate 3 local heroes making a difference in the pet world—nominated by YOU!

1:00 PM – Vendor Market Closes
Be sure to grab any goodies and say thanks to our vendors before heading out!

🙌 Not Hiking? Still Come!

You don’t have to hike to be part of the magic.
Join the fun, meet adoptable pets, support vendors, enjoy the festival—and help us raise funds for cats in crisis.

📣 Want to Go Even Bigger?

Once you register, you’ll receive info on how to create a personal fundraising page in your pet’s honor. Every dollar raised helps another family in need

🙏Thank You To Our Paw Partner Sponsors

These Paw Partner sponsors have stepped up to support pets and their families in need. Please show them some love and support their businesses!

These Paw Partner sponsors have stepped up to support pets and their families in need. Please show them some love and support their businesses!

🙏 Special Thanks to Our In-Kind Sponsor

Official MC – Ace Preston

We’re grateful for Ace of Ace Tours Knox and Knox Brew Stories for supporting Tails on Trails by serving as our official event MC. Her generosity helps us create an amazing experience for our hikers, vendors, and community!