The monthly Destrehan Farmers Arts Market has a new location this month, but the organizer said the event will still deliver the vendors, pet adoptions, food trucks, photo booth, face painting and other family-friendly and animal-related fun that patrons are used to.
This month the market will be held on Sept. 18 from noon to 4 p.m at Ormond Plantation, located at 13786 River Road in Destrehan. There is no entry fee, and all proceeds from the event will benefit participating animal rescues and Proverbs 14:31 Homeless Ministry.
The theme for this month’s market is Back 2 Football, and available auction items will included an autographed Saints football. Vicki Johnson-Cain, a Destrehan resident and event organizer, said she hopes the day results in lots of family fun and pet adoptions.
“The numbers of owner surrenders is staggering,” she said. “It’s at epidemic proportions. It’s unreal the amount of dogs getting surrendered by people … getting dumped by people … it’s unreal. You can’t even put it into words. So many people in today’s world have such little regard for the life of these precious animals and the impacts of Hurricane Ida are still being felt … and now the high price of fuel, utilities, and groceries is making it hard for families to survive.”
Johnson-Cain said she has transported 140 dogs so far this year from rural shelters that have little resources to house and provide medical care needed for the increase in animals entering their facilities.
“That does not even put a dent in the need, but for those animals it’s a second chance at life,” she said, adding that the monthly markets serve as a perfect opportunity for patrons to receive information on information on pet care, adoptions, and fostering.
The heat has prevented market organizers from having many animals at the market adoption events, Johnson-Cain said, but they are hoping as the days get cooler they can get more participation from the local shelters and rescues to bring out their adoptable pets and try to find homes.
This month’s market is unique in the fact that it will be collecting donations for the Proverbs 14:31 Homeless Ministry, which is based in St Charles Parish.
“It does not take a lot to be kind and make the day for someone less fortunate,” Johnson-Cain said. “The snack packs that we will be collecting at the market is one way. You can fill a quart size baggie with items from your own pantry for less than $5. We ask that everything is individually wrapped, single serve items that can withstand the heat. Proverbs 14:31 and its new board is hoping to make seasonal distribution drives. Our winter drive in December will be our biggest drive, so stay tuned for details about that and follow us on our Facebook page.”
Each patron who brings a snack bag for the homeless will be entered into a drawing for the market’s vendor raffle basket.
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