Actress Betty White Coming to Williamsburg for Pet Cause in Oct.

By WYDaily Staff Friday, August 20, 2010

 

Some outstanding timing will bring a member of television royalty to Williamsburg in October for a visit that may rival Queen Elizabeth’s 2007 visit to the Triangle.

Emmy Award-winning actress Betty White, whose pop culture status surged this year on the heels of a viral Super Bowl TV ad and then a Facebook campaign for her to host “Saturday Night Live,” comes to the city Oct. 16 for a personal appearance at Binns of Williamsburg and a gala at the Williamsburg Lodge to benefit White’s pet cause, animal welfare.

The small, family-owned clothing retailer on Duke of Gloucester Street decided months ago to try for an in-store appearance by White. Binns carries a line of handcrafted, glass animal ornaments called “The Pet Set,” which White has endorsed since 1998. “The Pet Set” is also the name of a one-season talk show White hosted in 1971, in which celebrities dropped by for a half-hour with their pets. In interviews White ranks that show as one of her favorite experiences on television in a career filled with high points.

Every few years White makes an appearance at a store to sign ornaments, whose sale benefits a worldwide animal welfare and research group called The Morris Foundation. Binns, with its in-store pets welcome policy and dog treats at the front counter, asked and White agreed.

“She never has been to Williamsburg – ever - so it’s pretty neat,” said Binns assistant CEO Tom Smith, adding that White had other offers to appear at stores in cities that have populations in the millions. She turned them down.

But right after Binns reached out, White’s career was on a rocket. After White appeared in a hilarious Super Bowl TV ad for Snickers candy bars, more than a half-million signed a Facebook petition to have the octogenarian host Saturday Night Live, which she did in May. Then the former "Golden Girls" star was signed to a sitcom, “Hot in Cleveland,” which debuted in May and was just picked up for a second season.

Smoothing out the logistics – not to mention keeping the secret for the past several months – has been a challenge. White will appear in the store on Saturday, Oct. 16 from 1 to 5 p.m., signing ornaments from “The Pet Set” collection. Ornaments are available to view and pre-order online, and Smith said White will sign only items from that collection.

Starting at 7 p.m. is a black-tie gala in the Virginia Room at Colonial Williamsburg’s Williamsburg Lodge. Tickets are limited for the event, which Smith says has generated interest across the country. There’s a travel agency involved to book flights, hotels and even tuxes.

Plus, “Betty knows everyone,” Smith said, hinting that other stars may attend. Already he’s gathering items for an auction, which will include a gold record donated by White friend and fellow animal lover Elton John.

Now that the secret is out, Smith is focused on making what promises to be a very busy day a good one for White, her fans and the animals who will benefit from her appearance.

“It still seems surreal because now the world is starting to call,” Smith said.