Old Town San Diego State Historic Park will host the seventh annual Blessing of the Animals on Sunday, Jan. 17, from 1 to 3 p.m. Father Richard Perozich of the Immaculate Conception Church will be blessing the pets. Admission is free.
A Blessing of the Animals event has been happening in Old Town for more than 300 years. In San Diego’s past, the annual Benediction of the Beasts celebrated St. Anthony of the Desert, the Patron Saint of Animals.
The event in the central plaza of Old Town San Diego State Historic Park will include adoption opportunities from various rescue groups and educational information on rescuing, rehabilitation and supporting the animals in your area. A pet costume contest will take place at 2:30 p.m. featuring prizes for several categories including best dressed and best pet-owner look alike.  
Participating exhibitors, lined up by press time, were Chihuahua Rescue of San Diego, Dogs on the Run, Emergency Animal Rescue, Helen Woodward Animal Center, Parrot Education and Adoption Center, Rancho Coastal Humane Society.
Sponsored by Fiesta de Reyes, the Blessing of the Animals event invites people and animals of all faiths and convictions to participate. For more information, call (619) 297-3100.