The Stars Come out to Play at PETA's 25th Anniversary Gala

We've heard that many of you missed PETA's 25th Anniversary Gala and Humanitarian Awards Show last month because you couldn't manage to skip school and fly out to Hollywood. Why, we'll never know. But since we understand how disappointed you must be, we're going to do as much as we can to make you feel like you were there for the duration of the event. Ready? Here goes …

Thousands of compassionate people from around the world came out to celebrate PETA's 25 victorious years of helping animals in need. The gala paid tribute to outstanding activists and celebrities who have worked hard to promote the rights of animals through PETA campaigns. The party headquarters? Paramount Studios' “New York Street” back lot. The highlights? Endless top-notch entertainment and the country's best vegan eats. Not to mention that everywhere we turned there was a familiar face from a television program, movie, music video, or magazine.

The event was hosted by comedian Fred Willard and Pamela Anderson, and PETA Humanitarian Awards went to Casey Affleck (accepted by Joaquin Phoenix), John Feldmann, Moby, P!nk, Ian Grushka from New Found Glory, Bobby Alt, and many more celebrity pals. Special honorees Morrissey and Alec Baldwin received the Linda McCartney Memorial Award, which was established in 1999 in honor of Linda McCartney, who was a longtime animal rights activist and supporter of PETA. Also in attendance were PETA friends Benji Madden, Laguna Beach stars Talan Torriero and Kristin Cavalleri, Brittany Snow, Brody Jenner, Carey Hart, Dennis Rodman, Anastasia Ashley, Andy Dick, Dave Foley, Sean Astin, Alyssa Milano, No Doubt's Tony Kanal, and David Cross.

The Mutaytor, “part hip-grinding techno/retro-funk, part audience-interactive post-modern circus,” wowed the crowd with street parades and fire-spinners. Plus, guests were treated to a special performance by The Polyphonic Spree, which got the party started with their hit “Light and Day.”

Items from Pamela Anderson, John McEnroe, Stella McCartney, and others were sold in a silent auction to benefit PETA's Animal Emergency Fund, which benefits Katrina's animal victims and also supports PETA's work with local media outlets to advise residents not to abandon their animals during natural disasters and to provide them with vital information to keep their companion animals safe during storms.

Well, that about sums it up. But for some reason, we're feeling as if we didn't quite capture the moment. So, how about watching a compilation video? That should do the trick. If not, then you'd best start saving up for the next gala, slated for 2010. Plenty of time for planning, folks—plenty of time. So stop whining and watch the video now.