Mission San Luis Hosts 14th Annual Blessing of Animals

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. –

Bring your favorite animal friends to the 14^th annual Blessing of Animals at Mission San Luis tomorrow, Saturday, October 6 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. to receive a special pet blessing from area clergy. Admission is free the day of the event. All pets on leashes or in carriers are welcome.

“The annual Blessing of Animals is a popular Tallahassee tradition for animal lovers,” said Secretary of State Ken Detzner. “In addition to special pet blessings, there will be many fun family activities that focus on animals and the important role they played in daily life at Mission San Luis.”

Deacon Bob Macko from Saint Louis Catholic Church performing pet blessings
at Mission San Luis in 2017. (Photo by David Rivera)

Certificates and online photos of each blessing will be provided free of charge. Animal organizations will be on site to offer information and pet adoptions. Special displays or demonstrations at this year’s event will include:

• A marine touch tank exhibit by FSU's Sea–to–See Program;
• A butterfly & caterpillar display by Florida Master Gardener Program UF/IFAS Extension;
• A reptile display by St. Francis Wildlife Association; and
• A Paso Fino horse demonstration by North Florida Paso Fino Association.

Guests can experience demonstrations of historic cooking and blacksmithing on site in the living history village. Special activities for guests will include:

• “How Was I Important” Florida native animal identification game;
• 17^th-century domesticated animal care chores activity sheet; and
• Crafts for children.

Guests are encouraged to bring donations of pet food and supplies for area animal shelters.

For more information, please visit missionsanluis.org or call 850.245.6406.

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About Mission San Luis
Florida’s Apalachee-Spanish Living History Museum was the western capital of Spanish Florida from 1656 to 1704. Today, the Mission brings the early 1700s to life with living history interpreters in period dress, reconstructed period buildings, exhibits, and archaeological research. The site is managed by the Florida Department of State, and support is provided by the Friends of Mission San Luis, Inc. Mission San Luis is Tallahassee’s only National Historic Landmark. Mission San Luis is located at 2100 West Tennessee Street in Tallahassee, Florida, and is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mission San Luis is pet-friendly to animals on leashes all year round. For more information visit www.missionsanluis.org.