Blessing of the animals Sept 30

Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary presents a celebration of music and multi denominational blessings honoring animals worldwide.

Well-behaved dogs, cats and other animal companions welcome (must be on leashes or in carriers).

Festivities include a musical performance by Prana, a Tibetan blessing of the animals and other animal-inspired prayers.

Farm tours held afterwards at 2:30 and 3:30 with tea and desserts. In case of rain this event will be held in our largest barn. MORE INFO HERE

MAKE A WEEKEND OF IT

In addition to the usual hiking, shopping & dining, the Woodstock area will be especially bustling on the weekend of the Blessing.

Woodstock Artists Open Studios - thirty-four artists will open their private studios to the public.

The Garlic Festival - an annual fall festival in nearby Saugerties that celebrates the harvest season and the natural health and food-enhancing benefits of garlic.

Leaf Peeping - the trees have started their annual firework display ... of death!

We have visiting info and lodging info on our website.

Meet Jannette, Hannah and Phillip (named after their rescuers), three young “broilers” who escaped their fate this past Friday in Brooklyn during a religious ritual called Kaparos (read more about it here). The chicken is held above the practitioner’s head and swung three times in a symbolic gesture of transferring the sins of the human to the bird. Then the chicken is typically slaughtered and may or may not be given to the poor. These lucky three were found abandoned after the ceremony and transported up to our farm -- and are enjoying grass and sunshine for the first time in their lives.

BUY YOUR TICKETS SOON!

"EARLY BIRD" Discount ends 10/1

We’re gearing up for our second annual event the Sunday before Thanksgiving on November 18th! Watch a video of 2006's feast here. This year will be bigger and better than last year’s and if tickets sell as fast as they did last year we suggest you buy them now.

So far the speaker roster is HSUS's Paul Shapiro, humorist Dan Piraro, and Compassionate Cooks' Colleen Patrick-Goudreau. Plus live entertainment by the incredible Elizabeth Mitchell & Daniel Littleton of "Ida," known for their lovely folk-flavored indie-rock.

Interested in underwriting this event, or advertising in the program? The deadline is rapidly approaching. Go here for more info.