Mikstat, a town not far from Ostrzeszów, is celebrated throughout southern Wielkopolska for its St. Roch Church Fair and for being the only place in Poland where animals are blessed. This takes place after morning mass on St. Roch’s feast day of 16 September as he is considered their guardian. Dogs, cats, cows, horses, and even pigeons and hamsters are brought along.
St. Roch is believed to have protected the town from a plague during the 18th century. A wooden church was erected in his honour on a hill behind the town as a mark of gratitude. The story that has been handed down from generation to generation says the site was chosen by St. Roch himself.