New Date for First Annual Pet Fashion Show and Blessing of the Animals

VILLAS – The First Annual Benefit Pet Fashion Show and Blessing of the Animals has been rescheduled.
The event was originally scheduled for the day Hurricane Irene hit Cape May County: Sat., Aug. 27 – which was also two days after the mandatory evacuation. Rather than give up entirely on the event this year, it has been rescheduled to Sat., Oct. 15, 2011.
The event will take place on the Holy Spirit Lutheran Church lawn (will move indoors if it rains), at 1220 Bayshore Road, Villas.
Registration Fee: $5 per animal entered, which includes a blessing of each animal and a ticket for a chance to win a door prize. Pre-registration is recommended, and people who pre-register automatically win a door prize, so call (609) 553-5353 to pre-register!
Registration and blessings begin at 10:00 a.m. Judging begins at 11:00 a.m.
Awards for: Best Dressed Dog, Best Dressed Cat, Best Dressed Miscellaneous, Best Bathing Suit, Best Pet Trick, Oldest Pet Handler, Youngest Pet Handler, Oldest Pet, Youngest Pet, Most Patriotic, Most Outrageous, and Best Pet Owner Look-Alike.
All friendly, leashed pets welcome, brought with all necessary permits at registration if required. All proceeds fund the two hosts of the event: Turtlesinger, Inc., a Federal 501(c)3 Public Charity, and Holy Spirit Lutheran Church in the Villas.
Over the past 11 years, Turtlesinger, Inc. has reached over 117,000 people, serving the public with its award-winning, public education programs at places like Children’s Museums, Malls, parades, school assemblies, environmental conventions and camps, fundraisers, libraries, community events, festivals, children and also adult daycare centers through its turtle awareness programming. The Turtlesinger Turtles will be available for donation feeding at the pet fashion show, and Turtlesinger souvenirs will be on sale.
Holy Spirit Lutheran Church has served the community for many years, feeding 1000 people a year for 25 years. The church has given away hundreds of free adult and children’s bibles, hosts vacation bible school in the summer, and presents the unique and creative tour de force, Journey to Bethlehem, each year on the Saturday after Thanksgiving weekend. Holy Spirit Lutheran Church Pastor Leah Lavelle will be giving the blessings to each animal.
The event will be held rain or shine, but hopefully in good weather on the big church lawn.
The judges for the event will include employees of Smeltzer & Sons Pet & Feed Supply. White, Red and Blue ribbons will be awarded for each category, and this is not just for kids: Kids of ALL ages are encouraged to join in the fun and enter their pets (and there are even awards for Oldest Pet Handler, Youngest Pet Handler, Oldest Pet and Youngest Pet)!
For more information about this event, call (609) 553-5353!