On the first Sunday in October each year you will find more than 100 four-leg animals attending service on the campus of an Episcopal Church in Ooltewah for the Annual Blessing of Animals at St. Francis of Assisi. It’s a tradition the church has held for several years with all of the activities being animal related.
This year's service will be held on Sunday, Oct. 1 from 1:30-4 p.m. at the church campus, 7555 Ooltewah-Georgetown Road.
The day begins with pet registration where all of the four-legged attendees get a goodie bag which includes a St. Francis medal for their collars. The church’s carillon signals the beginning of the pet parade where pets and their families make their way to the worship site nestled in the woods for the blessing. Afterward, pets can receive individual blessings.
The fun doesn’t stop there – the church offers the four-legged attendees a chance to have their photo taken with their family, or the pets and their families can visit the various booths set up on site with all animal related offerings. Other activities during the day include a children’s craft area, face painting, a petting zoo and pony rides. All activities are free and open to the community.
For more information, call 238-7708.