Second Annual Wild at Heart: A Party for the Animals Hosted by the William A. Harrison Jr. Foundation

09.2025

“Wild at Heart: A Party for the Animals” returns at 7 pm on October 10 at Maymont. It’s all about the animals and the people who love them. This fun-filled night is sponsored by the William A. Harrison Jr. Foundation which has awarded more than $250,000 to local animal nonprofits.

“Last year’s party was sold out, and brisk ticket sales indicate the same results this time,” says Laura Cotterman, the Foundation’s board chair.

This fundraiser, which benefits the Foundation and its mission to support and amplify local animal welfare nonprofits, will feature roving entertainment, food and libations, and both silent and live auctions. If you, or someone you know, have items or gift certificates you’d like to donate to the auction, please contact Lisa Cumbey at (804)357-4336.

The night’s entertainment will include a visit from Paolo Garbanzo, jester of Muncaster Castle and the first American to ever serve in this capacity at an English castle. Madame Onca will also be on hand to provide one-on-one animal spirit readings, and Jonathan Austin will be there performing his schtick laced with magic and juggling. Music by DJ Holly Buchanan, along with illuminated human butterflies and a host of characters on stilts from Fluidity Performance—all wild and uncaged.

Since its inception just two years ago, the Foundation has made substantial contributions to animals in our community.

“We distribute more than 6,000 pounds of free pet food every month to those in need,”says Laura Cotterman. “We have funded the spay/neuter of over 450 dogs, making their adoptions affordable and getting them out of shelters faster. We’ve helped secure homes for nearly 500 cats and kittens through our in-store adoptions, and our Big Fix project has funded over 500 cat spay/neuters. These efforts greatly reduce animal suffering and prevent thousands of feral births.”

Tickets, event sponsorships and other information is available at www.WAHJF.org or by calling

804-690-6286.