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By Evan Brandt ebrandt@21st-centurymedia.com @PottstownNews on Twitter
POTTSTOWN >> Alpacas, kittens, guinea pigs, snakes and dogs — oh so many dogs — gathered Saturday in Memorial Park for the 10th Annual Pottstown Pet Fair.
They brought their humans along too.
Oh, and this being Pottstown, there was of course at least one chicken.
But don’t worry Licensing and Inspection Department — we can assure you it was not an “illegal chicken,” visiting, as it was, from Gilbertsville.
Her name was Hildi, and she was a silky whose feath
ers lived up to their name.
Billed as “one of the largest free pet fairs in Pennsylvania,” the boast would get no argument from Bill Caldwell of Norristown, who brings his greyhound Bossy every year.
“We come up every year. It really is a good pet fair,” said Caldwell. “Personally, I think it’s one of the best pet fairs around.”
The fair featured crafts, pet products and unique animal
purveyors, such as Silvermoon Alpacas of Boyertown, as well as dog license registration, a blessing of the animals’ ceremony and a K-9 demonstration.
There was also a dedication of a new garden in Memorial Park dedicated to the memory of Bill “the Cat Guy” Sharon, Pottstown booster and tireless animal advocate.
Sharon, a fixture on the Pottstown Holiday Historic Homes tour, also helped to found and organize the pet fair in its early years. He died in 2018. In addition to pet food
promotions, those walking on two legs could choose from Lily’s Grill/Pottstown United Brewing, Bucktown Grille, Stairway to Veggin and Taco Time.
Children’s activities from the Pottstown Children’s Discovery Center, raffle prizes and gift baskets rounded out the day.
Primary sponsors included Chris Rowe, State Farm Insurance Agent, The Real Estate Professionals, Mobilization for Animals, Noah’s Pet Motel, Pottstown Wal-Mart Supercenter and the Pottstown Parks and Recreation Department.
EVAN BRANDT — MEDIANEWS GROUP
Kristy Bell of Fosterlings Inc. in Pottstown holds a 10-day-old kitten abandoned by its mother. Named Rex Meowington, “he only just opened his eyes.” She feeds him every three hours using a syringe.
EVAN BRANDT — MEDIANEWS GROUP
Only one of the alpacas from Silvermoon Alpacas in Boyertown seemed to take any interest in being photographed Saturday during the Pottstown Pet Fair
Teeka, a collie being walked by Dan Russell of Levittown Saturday, endured the energetic interest of Douglas, a Labrador puppy owned by Van Huygh, who just moved to Pottstown from Philadelphia.
PHOTOS BY EVAN BRANDT — MEDIANEWS GROUP
Julia Barone of Gilbertsville had her hands full walking four dogs at the Pottstown Pet Fair Saturday.
Manning the Phoenix Rescue booth at the Pottstown Pet Fair Saturday were Michelle Sinclair and Bob Wilfong with Luna Star on his lap, along with Bruno and Daisy Lou, all of whom were available for adoption.
Josie Farrington, 8, of Phoenixville, looks up plaintively from the pen full of cats available for adoption from Fosterlings Inc. during the Pottstown Pet Fair Saturday.
Two benches in Memorial Park have been dedicated to former borough codes officer and animal activist Bill Sharon, who helped to found and run the Pottstown Pet Fair.
Enjoying the pet fair Saturday were, from left, Adreienne Schaeffer of Pottstown with Luigi, Claudia Gaitan of Pottstown with Dexter and Noelle Croner of Gilbertsville.
Told to sit to pose for a photo, Mekye Salaam’s bulldog Stella chose instead to lay down. “Ahh, she’s such a diva,” said the Stowe resident.
Norristown residents Ken Holden, left, and his brindle greyhound Bossy joined Bill Caldwell and his borzoi Segei at the Pottstown Pet Fair Saturday in Memorial Park.
Katie Nagy, director of Human Education for the Montgomery County SPCA said the agency gets a surprising number of small rodents, like Sassy the guinea pig.
Signs throughout Memorial Park led visitors to the new memorial garden set up in memory of Bill Sharon, who helped to found the Pottstown Pet Fair.
Keeping things moving and in order at Saturday’s Pottstown Pet Fair were fire police officers Donald Raudenbush and Ashley Rose.
Della Mercer, 5, dances with Rocky the Recycling Dog from Paw Patrol, during Saturday’s Pet Fair.
Shhh, don’t tell anyone, but Rocky’s secret identity is Lily Reimenschneider, 8.
Amber Piechota of Pottstown with Erica Piechota of Gilbertsville and their silky chicken Hildi.