Go over to Northland Performing Arts Center on October 23 to see rabbits galore.
The Midwest BunFesta work of his Ohio Home Rabbit Rescueis celebrating 10 years with events for bunnies and their people.
BunFest is a chance for those interested in getting a pet bunny to learn more about what it entails, and it's also a chance for the bunnies and their people to have some fun.
“We started very small, at the Whitehall Event Center, and then outgrew that space,” said Pat Barron, Midwest BunFest president and OHRR Board Chair. “We've been in a hotel for a year, and we've been at the Northland Performing Arts Center for the past few years, although, of course, we've been virtual in 2020.”
More: Ask the Vet: Kennel Cough Vaccinations Can't Cover All Forms of Pathogens
In recent years, when it was an in-person event, BunFest attracted about 1,000 human visitors and 150 to 200 bunnies annually.
“Part of the fun of BunFest is seeing the bunnies everywhere,” Barron said.
Attending rabbits must be in proper rabbit hutches, carts or harnesses, and their humans must agree to clean them up and keep them away from other attending rabbits to avoid fights.
Rabbits who find the action a little too much can go to the 'Chillaxabun Lounge', where individual exercise pens are stocked with hay, water and litter boxes.
The event features not only Ohio House Rabbit Rescue, which operates a rabbit adoption center at 5485 N. High St., but 12 other rescue groups, including Columbus House Rabbit Society and Columbus Humaneas well as teams from northern Virginia, Pittsburgh and Washington, DC
More: The Circleville Pumpkin Show returns with popular food, giant pumpkins and parades galore
Although BunFest is not an adoption event, those wondering if a rabbit would make a good companion can speak with representatives from these organizations and watch “Bunny Basics” at 1 p.m. basic principles of training, feeding, bunny protection, grooming and health care.
“If people are thinking about adopting, it's a great way to learn more,” Barron said.
Educational talks for those already committed to a rabbit run throughout the day in three rooms, where vets and other experts will cover topics such as caring for an elderly rabbit, how to accompany a first date between rabbits, grooming, medication administration, caring for special needs rabbits and 'The Dreaded Poopy Butt'.
Those who have already bonded with a bunny are invited to bring their pet to the Bunny Spa.
“Trained volunteers do light grooming, nail clipping, brushing, general cleaning of the buns,” Barron said.
Once cleared, the buns can be bounced into the Glamor Shots area.
“We've got props and everything there, and some professional photographers that will be taking pictures. It's a 10-minute photo shoot and people go home with a jump from all the pictures we've taken of their bunnies,” Barron said.
Also on site will be a few dozen vendors, with goods for both rabbits and their people, including rabbit treats, bunny beds, 15- to 20-minute live bunny sketches, fleece pouches, rabbit-themed pottery, bunnies, jewelry and more.
“The mission of BunFest is twofold,” said Barron, who has a rabbit of her own and often fosters others. “It raises awareness of rabbits as pets, how to keep them at home and enjoy them and their personalities. And it's educational. People can get information there that they can't get anywhere else.”
margaretquamme@hotmail.com
With a glance
The Midwest BunFest will be held from 9:30 A.M. until 5 p.m. on Oct. 23 at the Northland Performing Arts Center, 4411 Tamarack Blvd. Masks are required and vaccination against COVID is strongly recommended. Admission is $6 for adults, $3 for children 5 to 12 and free for children under 5. Rabbits are welcome under the rules set out in the entry agreement on the BunFest website. (www.midwestbunfest.org)
