On Saturday, September 23, 2017, the 3rd annual Critter Carnival (formerly known as Furry Friends Festival) will be held at Southern Community Park in Chapel Hill, NC to raise money and awareness for numerous local animal rescue and rehabilitation charities. From Noon to 7:30pm a wide variety of first-rate rock, bluegrass, and jazz acts will perform.

The headliner is former Squirrel Nut Zippers frontwoman Katharine Whalen with her act Swedish Wood Patrol. Also performing are Bulltown Strutters, Fireside Collective, Triple Fret, and the Bucket Brothers. Aerial silk performers, hula hoopers, jugglers, and sideshow freaks will exhibit their amazing skills. There will be a Maple View Ice Cream truck, a lemonade stand, arts and crafts vendors, a digital photo booth with costumes, henna, and a silent auction with a wide variety of great items.

Many animals will be at the festival for people to meet, including owls, turtles, possums, raptors, snakes, adoptable dogs and more. The beneficiaries of the 2017 festival are seven animal-related charities in Orange, Durham, Chatham, and Wake counties dedicated to rescuing and rehabilitating dogs, cats, wildlife, farm animals, and exotic animals. Beneficiaries include All Breed Animal Rescue of the Carolinas, Chatham Animal Rescue & Education (CARE), Conservators Center, Hope Animal Rescue, Piedmont Wildlife Center, Robinshood Wildlife Rescue, and Wildlife Welfare.

Tickets and parking are free. More information is available at www.CritterCarnival.org.