WINDHAM – On a sunny December day, the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals drew about 1,400 visitors to its Sixth Annual Christmas Open House on Saturday.

“It was a great day for everyone,” said Meris Bickford, chief executive officer of the large-animal rescue located on River Road in Windham. “Of course, the kids were enjoying having their faces painted and making crafts. Others were enjoying wagon rides. I think everyone had a great time.”

The free event included refreshments, craft tables, horse-drawn carriage rides, raffles and an area for purchasing Christmas trees.

“We had 50 trees donated and sold every one,” said Bickford. “People were really generous with us this year.”

Visitors got a glimpse of the many animals the nonprofit has rescued, mostly horses seized from abusive or neglectful owners. The society has an operating budget of just above $1 million and relies solely on donations.

“We are not state or federally funded,” said Bickford. “Every donation counts. From a $5 donation for a bale of hay, to a $50,000 donation from a company, every little bit does count. We need all of those donations to be able to run.”

Although an official total has not been calculated, Bickford estimates that the event raised between $10,000 and 12,000.

“We always hope to raise as much as we can at these events,” said Bickford. “It helps to have great sponsors like the Wolak Group [a Dunkin’ Donut franchisee] and Idexx. They really help us make these events possible.”

More than 40 volunteers also pitched in.

“I can’t forget the volunteers,” said Bickford. “This event is a huge undertaking. Without volunteers we wouldn’t be able to do it.”

The society is open to the public from 1-3 p.m., year round. For more information, visit http://www.msspa.org.

A view from a horse-drawn carriage ride, shows some of the thousand-plus people who visited an open house at the Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals on River Road last Saturday.Maine State Society for the Protection of Animals’ mascot “Santa Horse” poses with Jess LaVallee, left, and JoAnna Gordon, employees of Blue Seal Feeds & Needs in South Windham.Crowds wait patiently for carriage rides.  Black Percheron draft horses Chief and Doc, driven by Jim Gray, of Monmouth-based J.L. Gray Draft Horses, gave carriage rides on Saturday.