Celebrate World Animal Day in Springs

Bring you pet down to the heart of Springs on Thursday for a celebration of World Animal Day.

"" is a new festival in honor of four-legged friends, and friends of a feather, taking place at Ashawagh Hall and the Springs Community Presbyterian Church from 4 to 7 p.m.

World Animal Day, which is Oct. 4, developed out of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals. Many churches celebrate with a blessing of the pets on Sunday (check our calendar for times).

Sevi Regis, a Huntington resident and author of "Until We Meet Again: God's Eternal Plan for His Animals," organized the event and it grew fast becoming much bigger to include musicians, artists, celebrity authors and even an Adopt-A-Thon. "It kind of took on its own shape," she said by phone on Wednesday.

While she wouldn't divulge any names, she said well-known artists and sculptors will display art at Ashawagh Hall, while musicians play. Activist groups will set up inside the church, where music can also be hear.

The Animal Rescue Fund of the Hamptons will bring their mobile adoption unit, so be sure to check out all the pups in need of a home.

Mayor Paul F. Rickenbach Jr. is scheduled to address the crowd at 5 p.m.

Regis will wrap up the event with a blessing for all of the animals in attendance.

READERS: TAKE PICTURES OF YOUR ANIMALS GETTING BLESSED BY YOUR LOCAL PASTOR ON SUNDAY AND UPLOAD THEM TO OUR GALLERY (YOU'LL SEE IT ON THE SITE SUNDAY) OR EMAIL THEM TO TAYLOR.VECSEY@PATCH.COM.