Much like the namesake pollinators in the annual event’s name, thousands of supporters and animal lovers descended on the main playing field of Fairfield Hills June 10 for the 7th Annual Catherine’s Butterfly Party hosted by the Catherine Violet Hubbard Animal Sanctuary.

As previously reported in The Newtown Bee, Catherine’s Butterfly Party is among Newtown’s and the region’s biggest one-day community and pet adoption events, drawing more than 10,000 attendees since its inception.

The free activity’s main draw this year was more than 200 adoptable animals from 25 animal rescue groups, and the chance to check out live wildlife demonstrations, pet-related vendors, local artisans, food trucks, and live music.

Each year on or around what would have been her birthday, the Butterfly Party celebrates the life of Catherine Hubbard, a passionate animal lover who lost her life during the Sandy Hook tragedy.

The celebration provides an opportunity to highlight the sanctuary that is being developed in Catherine’s name adjacent to the Fairfield Hills campus, along with its current programs and initiatives, as well as the actual construction progress. Upon completion, the sanctuary will be home to a state-of-the-art veterinary intake facility, library and education center offering animal and nature programming for the public.

It will also be the first Living Building in Connecticut and Metro N.Y., meaning the building will generate more energy than it uses, capture and treat all water on-site, and be constructed using declared nontoxic products — creating a space that reconnects occupants with nature.

According to Jenny Hubbard, Catherine’s mom and the sanctuary’s founder and president, every year, Catherine asked for a birthday party that would bring all her favorite animals together. Catherine’s Butterfly Party is that wish fulfilled, bringing hundreds of adoptable animals to potential adopters at no cost to the rescues.

Hubbard said this year’s event was one for the record books, drawing thousands.

“Our hearts are overflowing for the animals that found their forever homes,” Hubbard said, “including 33 dogs, 11 cats, four turtles, a hamster and guinea pig. And that’s not all — at least 75 adoption applications are pending.”

Among this year’s event highlights and special guests were The Rider’s Closet, founded by Georgina Bloomberg to provide riding apparel to equestrian organizations and riders in need, which was on-site accepting donations; creation of a community butterfly mosaic, hosted by the Art Spot; and promotion of the National Wildlife Federation’s “Garden for Wildlife.”

STAR 99.9-FM radio personalities were on hand to greet visitors, and live music was provided by LaFrance Acoustic.

The sanctuary is already beginning planning for the next event, which is scheduled for Saturday, June 8, 2024. To learn more about the cause, visit cvhfoundation.org.