A Celebration of Pets, hosted by the Church of the Holy Spirit, returns to Verona on Sunday, October 2, from 1 to 4 p.m. in the Verona Town Square. Holy Spirit began hosting A Celebration of Pets in 2016, on the first Sunday of October to coincide with the Feast of St. Francis. On October 2, the Town Square will once again be filled with barks and meows and a variety of vendors that provide pet-related services and products. But you don’t need to have or bring a pet: This pet-focused event is for everyone who loves pets of all kinds.
This year marks the sixth annual Celebration of Pets. Music will be provided by Automatic Entertainment, and there will be a photo booth ready to take snaps of attendees and their pets. The fabulous Pet Parade–with prizes–will kick off at 2:30 p.m. Costumes are optional for the parade. There will also be activities for kids and other surprises. Vendors include craftspeople, rescue and adoption organizations, animal photographers and portrait painters, veterinarian services, pet sitters, dog walkers, and much more. Pet blessings will be available to all.
“This will be our biggest event yet,” says Father Jerry Racioppi, a Verona native who is in his seventh year as rector at Holy Spirit. “We are grateful for all the vendors and the public who participate, and for the generosity of our sponsor, the Heavenly Finds Thrift Shop in Livingston, which is a sister ministry of Holy Spirit. We also thank The Catnip Gypsy of Verona for continued support of this event.”
The Celebration of Pets is free for vendors and participants. It will go on, rain or shine. Bring your pets or attend without–either way, the Celebration of Pets is a wonderful way to celebrate the significance of God’s creatures in our lives, and have some fun.
Photos: Kathleen Gentile
