A picnic with rescued cows! Mark the date, October 15, Saturday, in the middle of the colors of fall. Woodstock Farm Animal Sanctuary will be holding its annual Harvest Picnic Gala.

Farm Sanctuary Marketing and Communications Director Liz Truitt said, “This is the perfect time to visit Woodstock Sanctuary — the surrounding woods frame a dreamy autumnal landscape, while guests can enjoy delightful vegan fare and the company of those rescued cows.”

Woodstock Farm Sanctuary began in Woodstock with a wedding fundraiser by founders Jenny Brown and Doug Abel who moved there in 2004. In 2015, having grown far larger than they had ever imagined possible, Brown and Abel bought the 150 acres of the Epworth Camp and Retreat Center on Lucas Turnpike in High Falls. Brown and Abel were from the world of TV and film. They began the sanctuary to shelter abused, abandoned, and rescued animals, everything from rabbits and goats to turkeys, geese, sheep and cows.

In 2015, Brown said, "We just celebrated our 10-year anniversary in 2014, and we've grown beyond this property. We had no idea we would grow to this size and be as popular. We draw thousands of visitors in the summer." Indeed, their neighbors in Woodstock were complaining.

Now on Lucas Turnpike, the Farm Sanctuary has grown to care for about 400 animals, while converting a barn into “The Grey Barn,” a premier B&B set in a kind of hallucinatory farm experience. There are animals, but they’re not there for slaughter and human consumption. They’re there to make friends with. For many people the idea of befriending a cow, a duck, even a bunny is alien, even frightening, but in times past most people knew cows and pigs and many other animals and became inured to those animals, even beloved ones, being killed for meat.

Now in the 21st century, things are moving towards a world that won’t require that, and the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary offers people a chance to see that world.

And so, to October 15, when there will be that picnic, and a gala with a raffle, a silent auction, an open bar, and gift bags! Hey, vegan swag!

All ticket sales go to the support of the animals.

Truitt added, “It’s our largest event of the year to celebrate rescued farm animals and raise vital funds to support our ongoing rescue and advocacy work,” plus the daily care of those nigh on 400 animals.

This year a vegan menu will be provided by Gabriel Grigoli, of Gab’s Veg Table, a pop-up offering vegan Italian deli-inspired grab-and-go sandwiches and sides. Sounds about right for a picnic amongst rescued farm animals.

From tempeh to tofu, Gabby works hard to shape her menu so it supports the local economy of the Hudson Valley, without contributing to the abuse and exploitation of animals. Woodstock Farm Sanctuary has been one of her biggest supporters over the past year and a half, and she’s honored to be a part of their gala this year.

Desserts will be by Maresa Volante, of Sweet Maresa’s of Kingston. Volante makes airy French macarons, decadent éclairs, and elegant wedding cakes. Her bakery won Hudson Valley Magazine’s Best New Bakery in 2015, and she’s been taking the world of vegan baking to new heights. In 2015, she opened Confectionery! in Manhattan, a joint venture between Sweet Maresa’s and Lagusta’s Luscious, serving organic and fair-trade vegan sweets.

Oh, and there will also be an allergen-friendly menu, just to demonstrate decisively that this is the 21st century, when allergies are taken seriously.

Truitt explained that this is an important day for Woodstock Farm Sanctuary, “With inflation and lack of supply, everything has been more challenging for us. Ticket sales and day-of fundraising helps the animals greatly.”

For tickets and information, check out woodstocksanctuary.org/harvestgala.