For the Love of Animals

Alaqua Introduces the Animoré Weekend Festival

Alaqua Animal Refuge, Northwest Florida’s largest animal sanctuary, has been rescuing animals of all shapes and sizes since 2007, having helped find homes for over fifteen thousand pets with its mission of “shelter, safety, and second chances.” This year, founder Laurie Hood and her team are thrilled to announce the inaugural Animoré weekend festival, an event “for the love of animals.” This signature event will play a major role in Alaqua’s capital fund-raising drive for the completion of its new one-hundred-acre facility in Freeport, Florida.

The first Animoré festival will take place on the grounds of Alaqua Animal Refuge’s future home on October 18 and 19, and the weekend showcases two events—the Sixth Annual 100-Point and Cult Wine Dinner and the inaugural Barn Jam.

The 100-Point and Cult Wine Dinner on October 18 is an exclusive evening for a limited collection of patrons; it will take place in the all-new Alaqua Tipis, a permanent collection of tepees on the property that will be home to many future events and fund-raisers. This one-of-a-kind experience offers guests the chance to be the first in this unique setting. They will be welcomed with champagne and signature Animoré cocktails along with an intimate musical performance, followed by an exquisite five-course dinner prepared by Chef Brendan Davey of The Henderson beach resort. Distinctive and stellar wines, specially procured for this dinner, will be perfectly paired with each course. The night will conclude with exciting ​live and silent auctions featuring incredible prizes and experiences.

Guests who purchase tickets for the 100-Point and Cult Wine Dinner will also be treated the next day to the VIP Patron Lounge, complimentary food and beverages, and prime seating at the inaugural Barn Jam.​

One of Alaqua’s goals for its future home and unique environment is to be an inspiration for creating a kinder, more empathetic, and healthier society by healing both animals and people.

The Barn Jam on October 19 is shaping up to be a fantastic musical experience in Northwest Florida! Guests will rock out to performances by headliner Eric Lindell along with Jon Nite, Billy Dawson, Aaron Barker, the Pickled Pickers, and the Luke Langford Band.

The Animoré weekend benefit was born out of an idea from Alaqua’s founder, Laurie Hood, to create a community event that combines music with excellent food and wine in support of animal welfare. For hundreds of years, music has enhanced our souls and held an extraordinary spiritual power for engaging our senses. Interactions with animals also have powerful effects on the human spirit and body, so it seemed only natural to combine the two!

One of Alaqua’s goals for its future home and unique environment is to be an inspiration for creating a kinder, more empathetic, and healthier society by healing both animals and people. Hood and her team believe that this inaugural Animoré festival will do that—bringing people together through music and engagement to help heal and give animals in Alaqua’s care a second chance at life, happiness, and, most of all, love.

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VIE is proud to be a media sponsor of the inaugural Animoré weekend festival!