More than 200 people gathered on a beautiful Saturday for the Barks and Brews Fall Festival, a benefit for the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center, held at Leatherback Brewing Company.
Paws From Paradise showcased puppies and information about their program, which airlift animals from St. Croix to partner rescue organizations in the states for adoption. An offshoot of Animal Welfare Center, they have saved the lives of hundreds of homeless animals. According to their website, this is “St. Croix’s only animal air transport program.” The website says the group flies more than 40 dogs and cats per month to 40 rescue partners in the continental U.S.
“Many more pets are awaiting to participate in this lifesaving program,” the website says.
Under a large tent, the pie baking contest drew people to sample and bid on the diverse entries. A lemon meringue pie was the second place winner, but it drew the highest purchase price at $100.
Three judges, Sean Skerrett, Jean Bishop and Aaron Hutchins, using a 1-10 scoring system selected the winners from among 17 contestants. First place went to Dr. Michelle Mehalick for her chocolate pecan caramel pie, second place to Stephanie Welty Ahrens for a lemon meringue pie and third place to Laura Ballard for a red hot candy apple pie. The People’s Choice was an apple pie by Pamela Hall Peacock.
An art tent was popular with both children and adults as they created fall themed decorations, mostly painting an collage on wooden boards, using recycled pallet boards and other repurposed wood. Some of the artwork was donated for sale during the event.
Good food, lots of people, live music by Michael Justis and plenty of puppies, dogs and birds gave the day a bright and colorful flare as donations for the St. Croix animal shelter came in. According to SCAWC, about $3,000 was raised. This will helps support the Low Cost Clinic and the Pet Place, both at Five Corners. Clinic hours are from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Afternoons are filled with spay and neuters as well as other surgeries. Appointments are recommended, although they do take walk-ins. The clinic number is 340-778-1651.