Bring Your Dog to Frog Follies 2026 — August 28

Fire up the co-pilot seat, because one of the biggest pre-1949 street-rod runs in the country is rolling into Indiana — and if your dog rides shotgun the way our Ella does, this one's worth the miles.

What is Frog Follies?

Hosted by E'ville Iron Street Rods, Frog Follies 2026 is a legendary gathering that draws roughly 3,000 pre-1949 street rods to the Vanderburgh 4-H Center for a full weekend of chrome, swap-meet treasure hunting, and live music. It's a bucket-list stop for anyone who loves early iron, flatheads, and the culture that grew up around them.

The details

Here's what's on the board for this one:

• Dates: August 28–30, 2026 (spotlight date August 28)
• Venue: Vanderburgh 4-H Center
• Address: 201 E Boonville New Harmony Rd, Evansville, IN 47725
• Category: Car Show
• Host: E'ville Iron Street Rods

Why it's a fun outing with a dog

Sprawling outdoor fairgrounds, endless rows of rods to sniff past, a swap meet to wander, and a soundtrack of live music — this is exactly the kind of open-air, walk-all-day event that a well-socialized dog can love. Wide gravel-and-grass aisles mean plenty of room to keep a comfortable buffer between your pup and the crowds, and there's always a shady trailer or tent to duck under when the sun climbs.

A quick, important note from the board: this event is marked 'Check with host' for dog policy. As the listing puts it — "Large outdoor fairgrounds street-rod run; leashed dogs are common at open-air shows but the pet policy is unverified — confirm with the host first." A two-minute message to the organizers before you load up saves a long, disappointing drive.

Co-pilot packing tips

Late August in southern Indiana runs hot, so plan for it:

• Water, water, water. Pack a collapsible bowl and more water than you think you'll need — for both of you.
• Mind the pavement. Asphalt and gravel bake in the sun. If it's too hot for your bare hand for five seconds, it's too hot for paws — stick to grass and shade.
• Keep a leash on and eyes up. Three thousand cars means moving traffic and tight spaces; a short leash keeps your dog clear of tires and toes.
• Bring shade. A pop-up or even a truck-bed setup gives your dog a cool base camp between laps.
• Pack high-value treats. Rewarding calm behavior around engines, crowds, and other dogs makes the whole day smoother. Our mess-free freeze-dried dog treats are made for exactly this — single-ingredient, glovebox-friendly, and no greasy residue on your seats.
• Never leave your dog in a parked car. Even for a few minutes, even with windows cracked — an August interior turns deadly fast. If your pup can't come in with you, leave them home this trip.

Plan the whole road trip

Making a weekend of it? Map your stops, rest breaks, and dog-friendly detours with the Dog Adventure Plotter, and see what else is rolling onto the calendar over on the Sniff & Shift Events Board.

Event details are submitted by the community and curated from public listings. Sniff & Shift can't guarantee accuracy, availability, or dog policies — please confirm everything, especially whether dogs are welcome, directly with the host before you head out.