Stars of "Who Let the Dogs Out?" Fame to Headline Autumfest 2015

Woonsocket’s Autumnfest will be headlined by the Grammy-winning 9-piece band best known for their 2000 epic smash hit, “Who Let the Dogs Out?”

It’s none other than Baha Men and they’re the lead act in this year’s Autumfest 2015, which brings together the Woonsocket community and beyond for a three-day celebration over Columbus Day weekend.

The family-friendly event celebrates its 37th year this year and takes place at World War II Memorial Park off Social Street.

Baha Men will be on the Autumfest Stage on Saturday night at 7 p.m. for a free show, and for Autumfest Chairman Jeff Gamache, the band’s appearance, it marks the organizer’s response to comments that the event needed something with a little more oomph.

“I am very excited that Baha Men have chosen Woonsocket and specifically Autumnfest to kick off their 2015 Nationwide Tour,” Gamache said. “I believe this is the first time they will be performing in Rhode Island. For a few years, I have heard that Autumnfest needs something different in terms of entertainment. The Baha Men answer that need. They are a high energy, family oriented act the likes that Autumnfest has never seen before.”

From the Autumfest Committee:

The Bahamas is the home of the Baha Men who formed in the late 1970’s as a 9-piece band with a distinct Junkanoo sound. Junkanoo uses a variety of traditional instruments as well as goat skin drums, conch shells, whistles among others to create their unique sound

“Who Let the Dogs Out?” won the 2000 Grammy for Best Dance Recording. The song peaked at number 18 on the U.S. Mainstream Top 40 Chart. The song is the #1 sports anthem around the country. Sports Illustrated has a 5-page story on the band, the song and its longevity in the July 15, 2015 issue.

Baha Men are the 2-time Nickelodeon Kids Choice Award Winners. In 2000, they won for favorite song and in 2002 they won for favorite band. Baha Men have also won the 2000 World Music Artist of the Year and 2000 World Music Album of the Year in addition to charting hits in over a dozen countries around the world.

Baha Men have contributed to many children oriented projects by appearing on 3 Disney Mania albums and the Disney television show, “Stanley.” They have also appeared on numerous movie soundtracks including: “Rugrats in Paris,” “Miss Congeniality,” “Rat Race,” “Around the World in 80 Days,” “Garfield – The Movie,” “Crocodile Hunter: Collision Course,” and “Shrek.”

Autumnfest is a Family-Friendly Celebration now entering its 37th year. Autumnfest is held Every Columbus Day weekend at World War II Memorial Park off Social Street in Woonsocket, RI.

For more information, visit: http://www.autumnfest.org and on Facebook at (www.facebook.com/Autumnfest.