Dogs and cats, rabbits and ducks, goats, bats, chickens, bees, and a pot-bellied pig – even an alpaca – will grace the grounds of Christ the Lord Church, Pinole, for the sixth annual Animal Fest. This family-friendly event will feature animals for adoption, live presentations, a free petting zoo, food, music, and more. Open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, September 21, Animal Fest is free to the public.
This year the Contra Costa County Animal Shelter will participate once again by bringing their special mobile adoption center with dogs and kittens. They will be joined by a variety of non-profit rescue groups, who will display and discuss the care of live animals. Cockatiels, parrots, and pigeons and other animals will also be looking for new forever homes, and representatives for California bats and for honeybees will provide informative chats. All organizations will have staff or volunteers present to discuss animal traits, behavior, and care, and to answer questions.
Event highlights will include two 60-minute presentations. The first, from 11:30 to 12:30 p.m., will feature Jenny Papka from Native Bird Connections who, during her talk, will exhibit a variety of fine-feathered friends including birds of prey such as hawks and owls. At 1:30 p.m., staff from Lick Your Eyeballs in Berkeley will show small reptiles and amphibians. Attendees will be invited to handle and inspect these fascinating creatures up-close.
New this year will be storyteller Christine Johnson, who will read short children’s books about animals between 12:30 and 1:30 pm. A retired elementary school teacher, Ms. Johnson is a member of the church’s congregation and is not only good with children, but also good at telling stories! Also new this year: a fundraiser raffle brimming with great prizes provided by church members and local merchants.
Complimentary face painting for children, a food booth stocked with sweet and savory fare and beverages for purchase, a table offering used children’s books about animals and animal care at modest prices, and a return engagement by the Hilltop Ukulele Lovers Academy (HULA, for short) will round out the event.
For more Animal Fest information, visit christthelordpinole.org or contact one of the event’s co-chairs: Sandy McNeel at svmcneel@comcast.net or Lissa Parker at lissarp@toast.net. All people are welcome but, for the safety of our animal participants, please leave pets at home.
Christ the Lord Church is located at 592 Tennent Avenue, Pinole, CA 94564 (across the street from the Fernandez Park baseball field). Free parking is available on surrounding streets and in nearby city lots.