15th Annual Paddle for Puppies Hits Lady Bird Lake Today
Austin, TX · August 9, 2026
Paddleboards are already hitting Lady Bird Lake as early risers gather for a good cause before the mid-day heat sets in. If you are stepping outside this Sunday morning, there is plenty happening on the water and across town before noon.
The Lead
This morning, hundreds of paddlers and their four-legged companions are gathering at Lady Bird Lake for the 15th annual Paddle for Puppies. Organized to benefit Austin Pets Alive!, the event focuses on raising critical operational funding for the shelter's specialized Parvo Puppy Program—a dedicated intensive care unit that treats young dogs facing a deadly virus with high success rates.
Participants rent kayaks, canoes, and stand-up paddleboards or bring their own crafts, covering a gentle stretch of water early in the day before summer temperatures peak. Community donations raised through registration fees and business sponsorships directly cover specialized medical equipment, isolation care supplies, and round-the-clock veterinary staffing. As paddlers wrap up their time on the water this morning, organizers expect this year's turnout to set a new fundraising record for emergency medical rescue.
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Today's Outlook
- High 99°F · Low 78°F — Mainly clear
- Plan outdoor workouts early before temperatures climb near the triple digits this afternoon.
What's On Around Town
Spicewood: Hot Texas Swing Band Pedernales Farmers Market (23526 State Hwy 71), 10:00 AM–2:00 PM Short drive for fresh local produce, crafts, and live swing tunes.
Summer Stock Austin: Cinderella McCullough Theatre, 2:00 PM Youth performers wrap up their summer season with classic theater magic.
Golden Hour Jazz Jam Batch Craft Beer and Kolaches (3220 Manor Rd), 4:00–6:00 PM Local session musicians gather for casual outdoor tunes and local snacks.
Sound Unseen Film Festival Austin Film Society Cinema, 5:00 PM Final evening screenings celebrating the intersection of independent film and music.
Paramount Classic Film Series: Fargo Paramount Theatre (713 Congress Ave), 7:30 PM Enjoy a midsummer dark comedy classic inside a cool historic auditorium.
Spotlight & Story
- The Austin Traditional Jazz Society
- Founded in 1978, this volunteer organization has spent nearly five decades preserving classic Dixieland and swing music across Central Texas. Monthly jam sessions bring together multi-generational musicians, keeping vintage acoustic brass, banjo, and woodwind traditions active for local audiences.
Austin Daily Digest — compiled from local sources as of 6 AM. For breaking updates, follow your local newsrooms.
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