On Sunday, September 15, eleven Central Virginia animal rescue groups gathered at the Scottsville Pavilion to showcase their adoptable animals and build local support for their efforts. Organized by the James River Good Works Group, the event attracted hundreds of visitors and raised over $3000 for the benefit of the exhibiting groups.
The array of animals on meet-and-greet display at the Festival went beyond the predictable rescued puppies and kittens. Gallastar Equine Center brought a miniature pony, a potbellied pig and exotic chickens. Feel Better Farm exhibited a horse, goats and tame turkeys. Bunni Lu held meet-and-cuddles with rabbits and bunnies. Northern Virginia Sheltie Rescue sported several beautiful Shetland sheepdogs. Other groups participating in the Festival included Almost Home Adoption Center, Caring for Creatures, Cat Action Team, Fluvanna SPCA, Green Dogs Unleashed, Madison-Greene Humane Society, and Sentient Sanctuary.
All the groups shared in an Exhibitors Assistance Fund created by the James River Good Works Group through Festival program ad sponsorships ($1,270), food vendor contributions ($415) and raffle ticket sales ($1,395). The raised funds were distributed to the exhibiting groups at the end of the Festival based on how many votes each received from visitors in a Best-of-Festival exhibit competition.
Scoring highest in the Best-of-Festival exhibit competition and earning a $500 first prize was Gallastar Equine Center (Esmont), with Caring for Creatures (Palmyra) coming in second for a $350 award. Feel Better Farm (Esmont) and Bunni Lu (Waynesboro) tied at third-place for $250 each. The remaining 7 groups each received $100 or more.
This was the second year that the James River Good Works Group held the Creatures Great & Small Festival, with a third event scheduled to be held next September. Meanwhile, the Group is now working on its second annual Thanksgiving Baskets Day to take place this November. The James River Good Works Group is a 501(c)3 nonprofit network of volunteers dedicated to improving the Scottsville area community and helping neighbors in need. To learn more about the Group and its activities, go to james-river-good-works-group.square.site or facebook.com/jrgoodworks.
