On Saturday, Oct. 4, Phoenix Rising Equine Rescue of North Stonington will host their first Country Music Jamboree at the North Stonington Fairgrounds from noon to 5 p.m.
“We’ve done fund-raisers in the past, you know, bake sales and yard sales, but this is our first major fund-raiser,” Sue Kruetter, president and founder of Phoenix Rising Equine Rescue said. “We’re really hoping that a lot of people come out and have a good time because it should be a really fun community event and it will support a good cause.”
Kruetter, who officially opened Phoenix Rising and obtained nonprofit status in 2007, takes in “at risk” horses and, with the help of a number of volunteers, provides the care, medical attention, and retraining necessary to allow the horse to be adopted into a suitable home. Currently caring for 10 horses (four of which are up for adoption), Kruetter estimates she spends close to $2,500 per month on grain, hay, and medical bills, much of which comes out of her own pocket. While she did receive one grant from the ASPCA, she said there really isn’t much out there in the way of grants for the care of horses.
“Dogs and cats, yes,” Kruetter said. “But horses, no. There just isn’t much support at all for horses that have been neglected or injured while racing, and things like that. That’s why it’s so important for us to run fund-raisers like this because if we don’t drum up money for these horses ourselves, then no one will.”
The Country Music Jamboree was co-planned by daily Phoenix Rising volunteer Lori Taylor and is scheduled to feature country and bluegrass music along with hay rides, face painting, raffle prizes, a clown, and a variety of food. Tickets are $10 per person or $25 per family, and anyone who brings two canned food items to donate to the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center will receive $1 off their ticket price.
“It’s going to be a lot of fun,” Taylor said. “We’ve been trying to spread the word around town, and we think there should be a pretty good turnout. We’re going to have great music, good food, a lot of activities and things for the kids, and it’s a great opportunity for everyone to come together and have a good time.”
For more information or to make a donation to Phoenix Rising Equine Rescue, visit www.phoenixrisingequinerescue.com.