Ronnie's Awesome List - October 2014, Spotlighting Great Pet and Kid Events

Some of my favorite family friendly events happen in October:

Mill Valley Film Festival | Fleet Week | Bay Area Science Festival

…and every year we plan an outing to the fabulous pumpkin patches and gear up for all the Halloween fun.

October also hosts ‘Blessing of the Animals,’ one of the Bay Area’s greatest traditions and performed in the ways of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of animals and the environment. I am not religious but because of my personal passion in this area, I look forward to this event every year. I love watching kids line up, excited to have their beloved pets blessed with a special prayer to honor their loyal companions who love us unconditionally. It is a very special experience. There are many places across Marin to line up and have your pet blessed:

Friday, October 3

• Our Lady of Loretto School, 2:30pm, 1806 Novato Boulevard, Novato

Saturday, October 4

• Our Lady of Mount Carmel, 10am, Greenwood School Parking Lot, 17 Buena Vista Avenue, Mill Valley.

Sunday, October 5th

• Campbell Hall Garden, 70 Santa Rosa Avenue, Sausalito
• St. Stephen’s Church, 3 Bay View Avenue, Belvedere
• Marin Lutheran Church, 649 Meadowsweet Drive, Corte Madera
• St. John’s Episcopal Church, 14 Lagunitas Avenue, Ross
• Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 1180 Lynwood Drive, Novato

Sunday, October 26

• Mount Tam United Methodist Church, 11:30am, 410 Sycamore Ave, Mill Valley

Here are some other fun family and pet friendly events worth a mention:

• DOGtoberfest, 5:30-9pm, This is a family event and fundraiser, with door prizes, raffles, silent auction and gifts for the children, The Lagunitas Brewing Company, Petaluma
• Bay Area Pet Fair, October 11-12, 10am-5pm
• Pup Parade, October 25, Marin County Mart, Larkspur
• Doggie Bar Crawl, October 25-26, 10am-5pm, they also have a Kid Zone, The Treasure Island Flea.
• Woodland Pet Food Halloween Pet Parade & Costume Contest, Mill Valley, Greenbrae and San Rafael on October 25 and Novato on October 31. My favorite sweets shop, SweetE, will have several delicious, organic yummies at the Mill Valley event!
• Howl’O’Ween Dog Costume Contest, 6:30pm on October 31, Sausalito

For a full list of great family friendly events happening every day in October, check out Ronnie’s Awesome List.