September is going to the dogs – and cats
Three upcoming events will support Friends of Animals, with stops in Lynchburg, Bell Buckle, and Mulberry
8:00 a.m. Aug. 8, 2026 • Updated 7:56 p.m. Sept. 6
DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor
September is fixing to go to the dogs. And the cats.
Friends of Animals has three events packed into nine days this month, and each comes with its own way to lend a hand – clean out the garage, spend a Saturday listening to music, or pull up a chair for brisket and bluegrass.
Different towns. Different crowds. Same cause.
The stretch starts Saturday right here in Lynchburg, rambles over to Bell Buckle a week later and wraps up Sept. 20 in Mulberry.
Turn clutter into kibble
First things first: That lamp you haven't plugged in since 2018? The casserole dish hiding behind three others? That perfectly good something-or-other taking up half a shelf in the garage?
Friends of Animals may have a job for it.
The Friends of Animals Yard Sale is set for Saturday in the parking lots at Lynchburg Veterinary Clinic, and donations are now being accepted.
Organizers are asking folks to clean out garages, households and kitchens and send along good, usable items that can be turned into money for the animals.
One exception: No clothes.
Anyone donating should call ahead to schedule a drop-off time. The sale will go on rain or shine.
So, yes, cleaning out the garage can finally count as doing a good deed.
That alone may be worth celebrating.
Bell Buckle gets into the rhythm
A week later, Friends of Animals takes the show up the road.
The Bell Buckle Chamber of Commerce will host Rhythm & Rescues 2026 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Bell Buckle Stage Lot.
This one has a little bit of everything: live music, local rescue groups, food trucks, crafters and plenty of big hearts gathered in one place. Singer Mandy Barnett will be the special guest.
The afternoon raises money for Friends of Animals while giving the Lynchburg rescue a chance to carry its work beyond the county line.
Dogs. Cats. Food trucks. Live music. That's a Saturday that'll hunt.
Then comes the brisket
The very next day, Friends of Animals trades the stage lot for a barbecue pit.
Brisket & Bluegrass VII is set for Sunday, Sept. 20, at The Butt Ranch BBQ Theme Park in Mulberry, with Deeper Shade of Blue providing the music.
And let's get one important matter settled: There will be brisket.
Dinner begins at 5:45 p.m. with Texas brick-pit brisket and Lincoln County Heritage Chicken BBQ. Deeper Shade of Blue takes the stage at 7 p.m.
Tickets are $45, dinner included, and must be purchased in advance.
Organizers say 100% of ticket sales will go to three animal charities: Patches Place Cat Rescue, Humane Society of Lincoln County and Friends of Animals in Lynchburg.
Tickets are available through Bad Byrons SFP at 850-267-3661.
That's supper, bluegrass and a good cause all on the same ticket. Hard to fuss with that.
Three stops, one cause
A yard sale in Lynchburg. Music in Bell Buckle. Brisket and bluegrass in Mulberry.
Three events. Three communities. Nine days. And every bit of it pulling in the same direction for Friends of Animals.
Maybe you clean out the garage. Maybe you make the drive to Bell Buckle. Maybe you settle in Sunday evening with a plate of brisket while the banjo gets to work.
However you get there, the end result is the same.
A little less clutter. A little more music. A whole lot of barbecue. And a few more dollars going to the dogs – and cats – who could use a friend.
