By Heather Byrd
For The Daily Record of Dunn
BENSON – Benson welcomes back Jade’s Jam, a top adoption and animal awareness event, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Singing Grove, located at 400 E. Main St.
Pets are welcome on non-retractable leashes.
The festival will bring together about a dozen nonprofit animal rescue groups from eastern North Carolina with over 60 eclectic vendors and community organizations to promote animal welfare. The event will also feature kid-friendly activities, food trucks, music, dancing, and a red carpet runway for adoptable animals awaiting forever families.
Ten years ago, Harnett County native Corinne Coats could only imagine the impact a little festival she created would have on the lives of so many. She named the event Jade’s Jam after her beloved blue fawn pitbull she lost in 2005.
Giving Them A Voice
Jade was struck by a motorist, who drove away, leaving her to suffer on the side of the road. Coats rushed her to an emergency vet for care.
Jade died from her injuries hours later.
Gut wrenched and grieving the loss of her rescue for many years, Coats, in 2014, decided to create a yearly event in her honor to rescue more animals. The festival gathers animal lovers from far and wide to spotlight the importance of committing to pets and their welfare.
For nine years running, Jade’s Jam has been a free event in Benson’s Singing Grove, taking a short “paws” (pause) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Sponsored by Project Jade, the festival has become one of the biggest animal welfare themed events in North Carolina.
“There is truly something for everyone — for all walks of life — not even just for animal lovers,” said Coats, who has also scheduled a car show at the event.
The Jade’s Jam Cruz-in will have its second year on Saturday with show cars parked along Parrish Drive.
Returning Favorites
Some of the rescues featured at Jade’s Jam 2024 are Crisis Dogs NC, Paw Project, Rusty’s Ranch Rescue, Facilitate Rescue, ROAR, Kind to Kritters and many more. All rescues are required to be registered nonprofits.
Also in attendance this year are Petsense of Dunn and a nonprofit missing pet services group called K9’s on Call, who will be on hand to offer guidance and assistance to those in need.
A Jade’s Jam fan favorite again this year, especially among children, is Holly’s Nest Animal Rescue out of Sanford. Byron Wortham, one of its founders, will have the Nest’s three resident owls on site greeting attendees.
“The event grows every year,” Coats said. “Our red carpet gets bigger each year as we welcome new rescues.”
What signifies a successful event in Coats’ opinion? Not only successful adoptions on the day of, but fun for all attendees in a safe and supportive environment, she says.
“Jade’s Jam is a great way to bring people together in support of animal welfare. Everyone that attends will leave feeling a deeper appreciation for what rescues and volunteers do to save lives,” said Vikki Ingersoll, an animal rescuer and owner of Abby & Bella’s Gift Shop in Angier.
Ingersoll volunteers at each Jade’s Jam and gives a portion of her store’s sales to support local animal rescues.
Coats says she couldn’t do it without all of her supporters.
“It takes many hands,” Coats reflected. And she is very grateful. “We are gonna have a lot of fun.”
Seventeen animals were adopted at the 2019 festival. Coats is “hoping for 20 this year.”
Corrine & Vikki are ANGELS on Earth for all the furbabies that they help. They work endless hours and spend alot of money to help those in need. Thank you both (and all that help) for all the hard work!