The chonk is coming to Philadelphia.
Next month, two of the internet’s favorite corgis, Hammy and Maxine, will host a three-day festival celebrating all things dog at Philly bar Bark Social.
Chonkfest, running June 14-16, bills itself as “the best dog party in history,” and will offer entertainment like a dog-safe pool, comedian, ball pit, caricature artists, and “plenty of Instagrammable opportunities,” plus a fleet of food trucks, cocktails, guest appearances from other social media star pups, and an attempt to break the world record for biggest dog yoga session. Tickets start at $35.
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The pawpalooza is a partnership between Bark Social and Hammy and Maxine’s dog dads, Chris Equale and Bryan Reisberg. Equale has built Hammy’s digital presence to more than 15 million followers across platforms including TikTok and YouTube. Reisberg, meanwhile, has grown Maxine’s to more than 1.3 million on Instagram, and used that presence to launch his own dog accessories company, Little Chonk, featuring the signature backpack he uses to carry Maxine all around New York City.
Equale and Reisberg have spent the past year collaborating to put Chonkfest together.
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“For years, Bryan and I have been thinking about how we can pull our community away from their phones and into an environment that allows for us to share an amazing in-person experience together,” Equale said in a statement. “We weren’t prepared to roll out an event that wouldn’t live up to our standards. Thanks to our partner, Bark Social, and sponsor, Jazwares Pets, we feel we’re finally ready to congregate with our audiences and leave them with memories that will last a lifetime. We truly cannot wait.”
Reisberg added, “Chris and I have spent years sharing our dogs with the world, and we’ve been so grateful to have gotten the support of millions around the world. Alongside our creator-led pet brand Little Chonk, Chonkfest is our way of giving back to our communities–by throwing an epic party, and celebrating the love we have for our pets, with the people who have shown us unwavering support over the years.”
Tickets went on sale this week, and sold “thousands” on their first day available, Equale said in an Instagram update. He added that “a small amount of tickets” still remain, so folks who want to get in on the paw party will have to snap theirs up soon.
