Anti‑Valentine's event lets people symbolically feed an ex to a reptile

Oliver's Emporium in Mentor is hosting a Not-So-Anti-Valentine's Day Craft Show and fundraiser where attendees can pay to name a cockroach or rat and have it fed to a rescue reptile; proceeds support the Herps Alive Foundation.

Oliver's Emporium inside the Great Lakes Mall in Mentor is holding its first annual Not-So-Anti-Valentine's Day Craft Show & Fundraiser. The market organizers say the event is meant for people who do not enjoy Valentine's Day and want a different way to support local makers. Attendees can shop from dozens of vendors while taking part in a fundraising activity that involves naming small feeder animals and having them eaten by a reptile from a local nonprofit. The event is presented as a fundraiser for a volunteer reptile rescue organization. Event details: - The craft show and fundraiser runs Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Oliver's Emporium in the Great Lakes Mall in Mentor. - Attendees can pay $5 to name a cockroach or $10 to name a rat, and those named animals are fed to a reptile cared for by a nonprofit partner. - Proceeds are designated to benefit the Herps Alive Foundation, an all‑volunteer reptile rescue group based in South Euclid. - The market includes at least 60 vendors, artists and creators selling items during the event. Summary: The event combines a localized craft market with a fundraising activity that organizers say channels anti‑Valentine's energy into donations for a reptile rescue group. Undetermined at this time.