Animal Awareness Day

Animal Awareness Day on Branford Green

The fun day has something for all ages, including live music, children’s activities, food trucks, live animals (yoga goats!), huge bake sale, booths featuring a variety of area animal care and rescue groups, as well as community business vendors, and a kissing booth with some cute critters.

The highlight of the day, as always, will be the Blessing of the Animals at 1:30 p.m., the annual nod to the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals, large and small. Half the fun is checking out the eclectic array of pets that make their way to the Green to be blessed by local clergy from several denominations. In past years, that parade has ranged from dogs, cats and gerbils to horses, rabbits and birds. Those who aren’t able to be there in person, and even those who have crossed the Rainbow Bridge, are often represented in photos.

The event, which is the nonprofit’s major fundraiser of the year, is free to the public, thanks to the support of local business and individual sponsors.