The Lehigh Valley Humane Society’s annual Garden Gala returns Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Petersell 1808 Home, bringing together an elegant afternoon of food, music, and fundraising to support animals who need critical veterinary care. This year’s event will feature a plated dinner, a VIP cocktail hour with Seinfeld actor John O’Hurley, a silent auction, a wine pull, and live music from Kendal Conrad, along with a build-your-own-bouquet experience with Sterner’s Stems.
For the Humane Society, the event is not just a social calendar highlight. It is one of the ways the organization funds the work behind its mission: rescuing animals from neglect, abandonment, and abuse, while also serving local pet owners through accessible resources and affordable care.
As Lindsay Fly of the Lehigh Valley Humane Society put it, “Events such as the Garden Gala help provide crucial funds for animals in dire need of veterinary services. Through our Community Vet Clinic, we bring accessible, affordable vet care to owned pets across the Valley.”
That impact is already visible in the organization’s numbers. On the 2025 impact snapshot, the Humane Society reports 3,019 total animal intakes, a 93 percent live release rate, 1,605 adoptions, 953 pets fostered, 6,689 clinic appointments, and more than $341,000 in financial aid allocated. The same page also notes 6,190 volunteer hours, a reminder that the work depends on community support as much as fundraising.
This year’s gala leans into that blend of style and substance. Fly described it as “elevated and elegant,” combining “garden chic with giving back for a great cause.” She also emphasized the event’s local flavor, from Roots Catering to the silent auction and artist spotlight, calling it a chance to showcase businesses and creatives from across the Lehigh Valley.
The appearance by John O’Hurley adds a familiar name to the afternoon, but the real focus remains the animals and the families who rely on the Humane Society’s services year-round.
“By giving back, you are giving each animal a second chance,” Fly said.
For anyone considering a ticket, that is the heart of the event. The Garden Gala is designed to be a memorable afternoon, but it also helps sustain adoption, rehabilitation, cruelty response, and affordable veterinary care across the region. In Fly’s words, “The Garden Gala is more than an annual event. It is making a bigger impact each year.”
Learn more:
Garden Gala 2026: https://lehighvalleyhumanesociety.org/events/garden-gala-2026
Lehigh Valley Humane Society: https://www.lehighhumane.org/
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