Tryon business to support local animals with fundraiser Sept. 27

TRYON — With the 2018 World Equestrian Games setting up shop at Tryon International Equestrian Center through Sunday, horses have never been a bigger deal in the Foothills area.

Next week, though, one Tryon business will look to thrust a different pair of animals into the spotlight — ones with paws instead of hooves.

The GreenLife Inn at the Mimosa will host a “Post WEG Celebration” Party from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, on the front lawn of the establishment, located at 65 Mimosa Inn Drive, Tryon. The event will be free and open to the public, and will feature food and drink sales, lawn games, face painting and other activities.

A portion of the proceeds from the event will go toward local nonprofit Paws, Prayers & Promises, an organization that supports dogs, cats and other animals in the community. Visitors who bring a bag of dry dog or cat food will be entered into a raffle for a free night’s stay at the GreenLife Inn.

Owners Kevin and Mary Parker — who reopened the historic Mimosa Inn under the new name last year — decided to organize the party as a way to celebrate the conclusion of the World Equestrian Games, which began earlier this month at TIEC in Mill Spring, drawing thousands of people from across the world to the community.

The innkeepers decided to do something to benefit P3 in particular, as helping dogs and cats is a cause that both those excited about WEG and those who have dreaded its presence can get behind, Kevin said.

“It’s something to bring everyone together,” Kevin said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re 9 or 90. Everyone loves pets.”

The pet theme is also a natural tie-in with another upcoming event in the community, the Tryon International Film Festival, which will feature the film “Life in the DogHouse,” a movie about a pair of men involved in dog rescue, Kevin said.

The fundraiser will feature a variety of things for the entire family to enjoy, including several food trucks — serving up everything from Philly cheesesteaks to more high-end dishes — beverages from Russian Chapel Hills Winery and Ecusta Brewing, and live music, Kevin said. The inn will also offer T-shirts that sport the phrase “I Survived WEG 2018.”

“There is literally something for everybody,” Kevin said.

For more information, people may contact the business at 828-436-0097 or may visit
greenlifeinn.com.