NORMAN - Have a hankering for a hoedown? The Humane Society of Culpeper has it covered. The Sixth Annual Howlin’ Hoedown is scheduled for Saturday at Collis Jenkins’ farm on Norman Road, and it promises to be wilder than ever. Here in this pastoral setting, skydivers fall from above, snakes show off their skin, and children get silly deciding which activity to try next. Square dancing and bluegrass and barbecue - oh my - the day’s activities offer the ultimate in family fun and then some. Best of all, proceeds benefit the humane society; last year the event raised more than $28,000. Last week, a small army of volunteers and supporters gathered at Rock Hill Farm on Norman Road to iron out last minute details. The excitement was high and details about the party plentiful. “This year our big thing is the entertainment,” said Jenkins, who runs Baby Jim’s Snack Bar on Main Street. The Dark Hollow Bluegrass Band and soloist David Gilmore alternate performances throughout the day, and on a second stage, next to the barn, the Orange County Cloggers and square dancers from around the area do their thing. Jason the Juggler also makes an appearance. Children can jump up and down and all around in a moon bounce, find their way through an inflatable obstacle course or climb a rock wall. There will also be a live auction for kids and adults. If that’s not enough, a rescue helicopter will land at Rock Hill Farm and around 5:30 p.m. so will some skydivers from Skydive Orange. Last but not least, the Howlin’ Hoedown offers plenty of animal-themed offerings including a petting zoo, courtesy of local 4-H’ers, horse and carriage rides by Larry Wise and pony rides by Susan Deal of Grove Springs Farm. Virginia Reptile Rescue will be on site with all its crawling creatures along with Project Perry, a bird rescue group based in Somerset. “I have fun coming out doing it,” said Wise of Rixeyville. “There’s not that many people who do this anymore.” He’s been doing the horse and carriage rides all five years at the Howlin’ Hoedown, like many of its other contributors. Wise will also bring mules and donkeys with him, but be forewarned there is a difference. “A mule is the offspring of a donkey and a horse,” he said. Mules require less feed, Wise added, and are more durable. Andy Anderson, a 4-H leader for 30-plus years, said his club members would be sure to try and keep all their animals within the enclosures (in year’s past they’ve escaped). Petting zoo animals will include: pigs, sheep, goats, rabbits, llamas, alpacas, chickens, ducks, mini-horses, peacocks and more. 4-H’er Daniel Yancey, 6, a first grader at Emerald Hill Elementary School, vowed to do his part. “I’m going to drive Tequila,” he said of his miniature horse. Anderson said his club members enjoy showing off their animals. It’s a way for them to give back. “It’s part of our 4-H community service,” he said. “They are all expected to pay back to the community because the community gives so much to us.” Humane society volunteer Marsha Hill hopes the community will also take away many items from the Howlin’ Hoedown auction. She helped gather the many contributed items, including dinner for two at the Inn at Little Washington, framed prints of the Gold Cup, a handmade quilt, an overnight stay at the Landsowne Resort, golf packages, restaurant gift certificates, a week at Nagshead, a pig roast by Lakeside Caterers and more. Jan Evans, Humane Society bookkeeper, encouraged everyone to hop on board with the Howlin’ Hoedown. It’s for a good cause. “So many people think that the county gives us support,” she said. “We get nothing but contributions. We can’t do any of our programs without our volunteers and community donations.” In addition to hosting a low-cost spay and neuter clinic at least once a month, the Humane Society of Culpeper offers a drive-thru rabies clinic, pet food bank, adoptions, and its latest initiative, “The Reesie Project” in which abused pets are fostered or placed in new homes. Katherine Ayers, who has co-chaired the Hoedown for the past five years with Jenkins, her childhood friend, said she stays involved with the big event because of all the people. “And now that I have a daughter it has taken on a whole new life,” she said. “She talks about it all year round. It is part of our life.” Allison Brophy Champion can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 101 or abrophy@ starexponent.com Are you ready for a hoedown? The fifth annual Howlin’ Hoedown, a fundraiser for the Humane Society of Culpeper, is Saturday at Rock Hill Farm from 2 to 7 p.m. It features a barbecue dinner, live auction, carriage rides, pony rides, live music and much more. Buy tickets in advance at Baby Jim’s Snack Bar on South Main Street or the Corner Shelf Bookstore on Bus. 29: $25 for adults, kids 6-12 $10 and kids younger than 5 are free. Or buy them at the gate for $30 and $12. Rock Hill Farm is located off of Sperryville Pike at 14461