CRESWELL — The world’s tallest steer was announced on May 22 this year as Romeo, a 6-4 ½ Holstein, and now he has a festival in his name.
Romeo joined the Welcome Home Animal Sanctuary in Creswell six years ago after being rescued from a dairy farm. Welcome Home, run by Misty Moore, is a place where abused and neglected farm animals can find a second chance, and Romeo had found his.
The gentle giant will be the theme of Romeo’s Fall Festival, held at Holt Park on Sept. 21 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. The event is a partnership between Welcome Home, the City, Creswell Library, and the Chamber of Commerce, according to Michelle Amberg, city manager.
“Every year, I hear calls for a fall festival, and this year we have an exciting focal point with a notable celebrity, Romeo,” Amberg said. “It feels like the Creswell community is ready to get out, socialize, and have some fun.”
Romeo will be staying home during the festival to keep from stressing him out, but there will be a “whole-body, life-size banner,” Moore said.
Additionally, the festival will include a homemade scarecrow contest, an animal dress up contest, and a coloring contest. There will also be face painting, live music, and, of course, what festival would be complete without pumpkin chucking?
All proceeds will go to Welcome Home Animal Sanctuary to support Romeo and his friends at the Sanctuary. And if it is successful, Amberg believes the event may become an annual celebration.
“I’m just really excited that this event is geared towards celebrating what we do at the sanctuary, and celebrating kindness to animals,” she said, “It is really exciting that we get to be a part of that.”
