Events Calendar
Explore family friendly events, theatres, galleries, concerts, nightlife, things to do, and more in the Greenville, SC and Upstate areas.
Interested in adding an event to our calendar? Please click the green “Post Your Event” button below.
Ages 12 & under | Create a Mother’s Day gift.
 |
Brunch takes place in the venue Eighteen Hundred Drayton located in the Drayton Mills Marketplace. Ticket price includes multiple buffets and stations, non-alcoholic beverages, and family-style seating. A cash bar will be available.
The Blue Ridge Agility Club of Western North Carolina will host an American Kennel Club (AKC) agility trial during the Memorial Day weekend, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, May 26 – 29, 2023. The event will be held at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center McGough Arena in Fletcher from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm Friday-Sunday and 8:00 am-1:00 pm on Monday. Spectators are welcome to attend and admission is free. Please leave your dog comfortably at home.
Over 300 purebred dogs, from throughout the southeast, will compete at various levels of difficulty, against each other and the clock. There will be approximately 70 AKC-registered breeds competing.
Agility is a competitive team sport that involves a handler and his or her dog. The object of agility is for the handler to navigate the dog through a timed obstacle course without the dog making a mistake. The agility course is comprised of jumps; weave poles, tunnels and climbing apparatuses. Agility rules focus on safety for the dog. The sport of agility combines control, training and drive into a challenging game for both the handler and the dog. Agility training heightens the bond between dog and handler and provides fun exercise for both. Agility is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the USA.
The FAST (Fifteen and Send Time) class will be offered Friday through Sunday. The FAST class is an additional test of strategy, accuracy, speed, timing and distance handling, to demonstrate a dog’s athletic ability. The distance challenge must be completed correctly for a qualifying run; it can be attempted anytime during the run.
Time 2 Beat (T2B) will be offered each day. Each dog has the chance to set the “Time to Beat” for each jump height. This class is the most interactive class with the most accurate and fastest dog setting the pace. Dogs from the novice, open and excellent classes compete against each other on the same course.
AKC’s exciting Premier classes will be offered all four days. Premier courses are designed to challenge dogs and their handlers at an increased skill and speed level. The courses are set above the Master class with varied approach angles, spacing and discrimination obstacles.
The American Kennel Club was founded in 1884 and is the nation’s leading not-for-profit organization devoted to the study, breeding, exhibiting and advancement of purebred dogs.
The Blue Ridge Agility Club of Western North Carolina will host an American Kennel Club (AKC) agility trial during the Memorial Day weekend, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, May 26 – 29, 2023. The event will be held at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center McGough Arena in Fletcher from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm Friday-Sunday and 8:00 am-1:00 pm on Monday. Spectators are welcome to attend and admission is free. Please leave your dog comfortably at home.
Over 300 purebred dogs, from throughout the southeast, will compete at various levels of difficulty, against each other and the clock. There will be approximately 70 AKC-registered breeds competing.
Agility is a competitive team sport that involves a handler and his or her dog. The object of agility is for the handler to navigate the dog through a timed obstacle course without the dog making a mistake. The agility course is comprised of jumps; weave poles, tunnels and climbing apparatuses. Agility rules focus on safety for the dog. The sport of agility combines control, training and drive into a challenging game for both the handler and the dog. Agility training heightens the bond between dog and handler and provides fun exercise for both. Agility is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the USA.
The FAST (Fifteen and Send Time) class will be offered Friday through Sunday. The FAST class is an additional test of strategy, accuracy, speed, timing and distance handling, to demonstrate a dog’s athletic ability. The distance challenge must be completed correctly for a qualifying run; it can be attempted anytime during the run.
Time 2 Beat (T2B) will be offered each day. Each dog has the chance to set the “Time to Beat” for each jump height. This class is the most interactive class with the most accurate and fastest dog setting the pace. Dogs from the novice, open and excellent classes compete against each other on the same course.
AKC’s exciting Premier classes will be offered all four days. Premier courses are designed to challenge dogs and their handlers at an increased skill and speed level. The courses are set above the Master class with varied approach angles, spacing and discrimination obstacles.
The American Kennel Club was founded in 1884 and is the nation’s leading not-for-profit organization devoted to the study, breeding, exhibiting and advancement of purebred dogs.
The Blue Ridge Agility Club of Western North Carolina will host an American Kennel Club (AKC) agility trial during the Memorial Day weekend, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, May 26 – 29, 2023. The event will be held at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center McGough Arena in Fletcher from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm Friday-Sunday and 8:00 am-1:00 pm on Monday. Spectators are welcome to attend and admission is free. Please leave your dog comfortably at home.
Over 300 purebred dogs, from throughout the southeast, will compete at various levels of difficulty, against each other and the clock. There will be approximately 70 AKC-registered breeds competing.
Agility is a competitive team sport that involves a handler and his or her dog. The object of agility is for the handler to navigate the dog through a timed obstacle course without the dog making a mistake. The agility course is comprised of jumps; weave poles, tunnels and climbing apparatuses. Agility rules focus on safety for the dog. The sport of agility combines control, training and drive into a challenging game for both the handler and the dog. Agility training heightens the bond between dog and handler and provides fun exercise for both. Agility is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the USA.
The FAST (Fifteen and Send Time) class will be offered Friday through Sunday. The FAST class is an additional test of strategy, accuracy, speed, timing and distance handling, to demonstrate a dog’s athletic ability. The distance challenge must be completed correctly for a qualifying run; it can be attempted anytime during the run.
Time 2 Beat (T2B) will be offered each day. Each dog has the chance to set the “Time to Beat” for each jump height. This class is the most interactive class with the most accurate and fastest dog setting the pace. Dogs from the novice, open and excellent classes compete against each other on the same course.
AKC’s exciting Premier classes will be offered all four days. Premier courses are designed to challenge dogs and their handlers at an increased skill and speed level. The courses are set above the Master class with varied approach angles, spacing and discrimination obstacles.
The American Kennel Club was founded in 1884 and is the nation’s leading not-for-profit organization devoted to the study, breeding, exhibiting and advancement of purebred dogs.
The Blue Ridge Agility Club of Western North Carolina will host an American Kennel Club (AKC) agility trial during the Memorial Day weekend, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, May 26 – 29, 2023. The event will be held at the Western North Carolina Agricultural Center McGough Arena in Fletcher from 8:00 am until 4:00 pm Friday-Sunday and 8:00 am-1:00 pm on Monday. Spectators are welcome to attend and admission is free. Please leave your dog comfortably at home.
Over 300 purebred dogs, from throughout the southeast, will compete at various levels of difficulty, against each other and the clock. There will be approximately 70 AKC-registered breeds competing.
Agility is a competitive team sport that involves a handler and his or her dog. The object of agility is for the handler to navigate the dog through a timed obstacle course without the dog making a mistake. The agility course is comprised of jumps; weave poles, tunnels and climbing apparatuses. Agility rules focus on safety for the dog. The sport of agility combines control, training and drive into a challenging game for both the handler and the dog. Agility training heightens the bond between dog and handler and provides fun exercise for both. Agility is one of the fastest-growing dog sports in the USA.
The FAST (Fifteen and Send Time) class will be offered Friday through Sunday. The FAST class is an additional test of strategy, accuracy, speed, timing and distance handling, to demonstrate a dog’s athletic ability. The distance challenge must be completed correctly for a qualifying run; it can be attempted anytime during the run.
Time 2 Beat (T2B) will be offered each day. Each dog has the chance to set the “Time to Beat” for each jump height. This class is the most interactive class with the most accurate and fastest dog setting the pace. Dogs from the novice, open and excellent classes compete against each other on the same course.
AKC’s exciting Premier classes will be offered all four days. Premier courses are designed to challenge dogs and their handlers at an increased skill and speed level. The courses are set above the Master class with varied approach angles, spacing and discrimination obstacles.
The American Kennel Club was founded in 1884 and is the nation’s leading not-for-profit organization devoted to the study, breeding, exhibiting and advancement of purebred dogs.
The park will host a community “Juneteenth Freedom Fest” on Sunday, June 11 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. in cooperation with the Black History Collective of Henderson County. The event will feature music and art demonstrations, with a special presentation by Christopher D. Sims, a poet, activist, and spoken work performer.
Red Carpet: 5:00 PM Gala Event: 6:30 PM Gala Party: 8:30 PM
Location: Chapman Cultural Center
Description:
Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Spartanburg Juneteenth BEC Gala, where we celebrate the spirit of Juneteenth while supporting and empowering the small businesses and non-profit organizations that help make our community thrive.
The festivities begin at 5:00 PM with a glamorous red-carpet event, followed by the main gala starting at 6:30 PM. The gala will feature an incredible lineup of live performances, lip sync contests, and award presentations. We will be granting seven deserving small businesses with essential funding, and five non-profit organizations will have the chance to perform in an entertaining lip-sync contest for an $800 grant.
After the main event, continue celebrating with us at the Gala Party at 8:30 PM, where you can mix and mingle with fellow attendees, awardees, and performers. Enjoy music from DJ Kurious George, dancing, and refreshments as we celebrate Juneteenth and the contributions of our community’s small businesses and non-profit organizations.
The Spartanburg Juneteenth BEC Gala is the perfect opportunity to show your support for the local community, learn about the importance of Juneteenth, and have an incredible time. Don’t miss out on this memorable evening!
Dress Code: Formal attire
Pet parents and animal lovers come together to learn about each other, brag about their fur babies and find ways to support one another in business, rescue and advocacy
Kick off your holiday weekend with us here at Big Water Marina and Campground!
Join the celebration of our nation’s birthday with Lake Hartwell’s best display of fireworks (starting at 9pm), live music, food trucks, and fun!
*Please note, there will be 2 paid parking options on the day of the main event (Saturday, 7/1). Both areas will offer shuttle transit between the marina + parking areas.
Food Trucks + Vendors (7/1)
🐖 Rad Dad’s BBQ
🌮 Mexibilly’s
🦀 Sonny’s Grill Food Truck
🥜 BLVD Concessions
🍦 The Nomadik Few
🍔 JR Cash’s (Grill + To-Go)
🍹 Palmetto Distillery
Live Music (7/1)
🎤 11am-2pm: TBA
🎤 2pm-5pm: TBA
🎤 6pm-9pm: The Bennett Brothers
Fireworks (7/1)
🎆 Starting around 9pm
Hartness Family, Fun & Fireworks presented by Hartness Builder Guild
Saturday, July 1st
6:30-9:30 pm
Visit the HartnessLiving.com for details and event registration.
Presenting Sponsors who are in the Hartness Builder Guild include:
• Milestone Custom Homes
• Hollison Homes
• J. Francis Builders
• Dillard-Jones Builders
• Cottage Group
• Sexton Griffith Custom Home Builders
• Hartness Construction
Other Supporting Sponsors include:
• Pepsi of Greenville
• Strange Bros. Grading Co.
• Ameris Bank
• Sunbelt Rentals
• Greenville Water
• GBS Building Supply
Music, Games, and Food & Beverage Trucks
Food Trucks: Sonny’s Grill, Lobster Dogs, Highway 301, Cluk Truck, A Taste of Detroit, Frescoluna Tacos, Aspen Street Sweets, Sky Cream Ice Cream, Fleur’s Fairy Floss
Beer & Wine: Community Tap, Traveling Taps, The One 5
Celebrate Independence Day with Patriotic Pops at Brevard Music Center. Hear the Brevard Symphonic Winds joined by the Seraph Brass as they perform inspirational American music, traditional Sousa marches, and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture complete with the sounds of live cannon!
PERFORMANCE & ARTIST DETAILS
Brevard Symphonic Winds
Kraig Alan Williams, conductor
Seraph Brass
PIOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY 1812 Overture
Program to include traditional patriotic favorites
Auditorium seating is reserved. Lawn seating is general admission.
Spartanburg’s favorite way to celebrate Independence Day!
Barnet Park is the perfect setting for Spartanburg’s Independence Day celebration. On July 4, come hungry and enjoy great food and a spectacular fireworks show presented by Zambelli Fireworks!
Note: Parking will not be available in the First Baptist Church parking lot this year. Parking garages will be open with plenty of free parking. Learn more about our parking options throughout downtown on our Downtown Parking page.
- When: Tuesday, July 4, 5:30 to 10 pm. The Fireworks display will begin around 9:30 pm.
- Admission: Free admission!
A FEW THINGS TO REMEMBER
Do
- Get your patriotic spirit on
- Bring cash and ID
- Bring the family
- Bring lawn chair or blanket
Don’t
- Smoke at this event
- Bring your Pets (wagging tails and crowds just don’t mix!)
- Forget Sunscreen
Fireworks will go off at 9:30 p.m.
We are thrilled to welcome Greenville back to Unity Park to celebrate another wonderful year under the bright lights at Clemson MBA Fireworks on the Fourth! We invite the community to join us for this spectacular fireworks show in our beautiful 60-acre park on Tuesday, July 4, from 6 to 10 p.m. Come early, bring a blanket and picnic dinner, and enjoy a memorable evening as we honor our great country.
LIVE MUSIC
Live music will be located at the Prisma Green at Unity Park
The Company Band – 6 p.m.
246 Army Band – 7:30 p.m.
FOOD TRUCKS
J and S Wings 2 Go | Larkin’s | The Noodle Lady | Spinx Cluk Truk | Honest Scoop |
Aspen Street Sweets | HipTruck | The Pound Cake Man | Local Pie Pizza | Kona Ice | Common Pops
Main Event Greenville located at 225 Entertainment Blvd, Greenville, SC, is missing a pivotal part of their upcoming opening. The final shipment of bowling pins to the nearly 50,000-square-foot center is lost, and Main Event is calling on all Greenville residents to help find these very valuable items.
Main Event, one of the fastest growing family entertainment brands in the country, is nearing the official grand opening of its 57th location nationwide. To be ready for opening day, these pins need to be found and we need your help to do it. Main Event will be releasing new information and one clue per day about where the pins can be found on the webpage mainevent.com/greenvillelostpins from Monday, June 26 through Wednesday, July 5. Main Event is offering an invitation to its VIP event for four people as well as free games for a year to the first person to find each pin. The person who finds the golden pin will even win Main Event for Life!
“Lost Pins is a great way for us to introduce ourselves to the community, and it’s a fun activity for Greenville to get a first taste of the Main Event experience,” said says General Manager Danny Glover. “We’re all about creating interactive experience for people to connect and make memories, and Lost Pins is an extension of that.”
The Greenville location will have endless entertainment and activities, including laser tag, video games, virtual reality and billiards, and 22 state-of-the-art bowling lanes, with unique technology and VIP seating. The location also features Main Event’s signature in-center dining experience, Family Kitchen, designed for guests to create lasting memories while indulging in its handcrafted, flavorful American-classic dishes with a twist.
For more information or to book an event, visit mainevent.com.
– Woofie’s of SE Greenville is now open, serving the needs of SE Greenville pet owners with a variety of customized, premium mobile pet care services for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles and more.
Woofie’s of SE Greenville is celebrating its grand opening at the Hampton Station’s Birds Fly South Ale Project, and Biergarten Greenville Music & Vendor event on Saturday, July 22 from 2 – 6 p.m. Woofie’s of SE Greenville will be giving complimentary wash-and-go baths and nail trimming for dogs, and giving out free swag and raffle prizes for pet owners and pet groomers alike. Attendees will be treated to a live band and goods from community vendors such as Hannah Chloe Company, a clothing brand for pets and their pawrents, and baked goods from Sweet Treats for Wet Noses, The Farmer’s Dog swag and more.
Woofie’s of SE Greenville services include:
- Mobile pet spa for a luxurious experience for pets and their people
- Dog walking
- Overnight pet sitting
- Pet transport and taxi
- Wedding and event packages
- All staff members are highly trained and CPR certified
Woofie’s of SE Greenville, providing pet sitting, dog walking, a mobile pet spa, and more to pamper pets throughout the Southeast Greenville, South Carolina area, is holding its Grand Opening Celebration on Saturday, July 22, 2023, from 2-6 p.m. at Hampton Station’s, Birds Fly South Ale Project, and Biergarten Music & Vendor Event at 1320 Hampton Ave Ext in Greenville. Furry pets and their people are invited to attend as Woofie’s guests.
Join Woofie’s of SE Greenville for food, craft beer (sold by Birds Fly South Ale Project), live bands and community vendors such as Hannah Chloe Company, a clothing brand for pets and their pawrents, and Sweet Treats for Wet Noses, samples from The Farmer’s Dog and more. Woofie’s of SE Greenville will be giving complimentary wash-and-go baths and nail trimming for dogs, and giving out free swag and raffle prizes for pet owners and pet groomers alike.
WHAT: Woofie’s of SE Greenville Grand Opening Celebration. Woofie’s provides dependable pet sitting, dog walking, a pup-pampering mobile spa, and specialty products to keep SE Greenville pets healthy, happy, and safe.
WHEN: Saturday, July 22 from 2-6 p.m.
WHERE: Hampton Station, Greenville, at 1320 Hampton Ave Ext Greenville, SC 29601
WHO: Woofie’s of SE Greenville, is a franchise, owned and managed by husband-and-wife team Eric and Cameron McEntire, both University of South Carolina graduates and residents of Spartanburg, South Carolina, and Cameron’s father Dr. Eric Smith, a retired dentist. The McEntire family also includes Eric and Cameron’s 2-year-old daughter Eddie; infant son Jude; and German Shephard/Husky rescue, Finn.
Learn more here or call (864) 202-6933 to book an appointment.
Woofie’s is part of Authority Brands. For more information, visit www.woofies.com and www.authoritybrands.com.
The Public Is Welcome to Attend Our Dog Shows
The dog shows are free to the public each day. It’s a wonderful and inexpensive way to entertain the whole family.
The shows are held each day, Thursday through Sunday, July 27 – 30, 2023. Each day is a separate show, so you can attend any day and see a complete show.
These shows are among the largest on the east coast with an average entry of about 2,000 dogs each day. The dogs hail from over 40 states from California to New England, along with a scattering of dogs from foreign countries. They include popular breeds, such as the Golden Retriever with an entry of nearly 100 dogs, to the Xoloitzcuintli, the Mexican National Breed. With over 150 breeds represented, there will many breeds that you are familiar with, but many more that you have probably never heard of nor seen.
There are 2 events that are fun to watch. The “Conformation” show is about how the dog looks, and the “Junior Showmanship” is for children from 8 to 17 who compete to demonstrate their dog-handling skills.
How to Watch the Show
Breeds are judged at different times in different rings every day. To get the most from the show it’s best to “know before you go.” If you are interested in certain breeds, you should check the schedule for the day you plan to attend. The complete judging program will tell you how many of that breed are competing and at what time and in which ring.
Available around July 19th:
DAILY RING SCHEDULE
COMPLETE JUDGING PROGRAM
If you are interested in seeing the most breeds in the shortest time, it’s best to attend the group judging, where you will see the Best-of-Breed winner of each breed in that group. Judging of a group takes about 20 minutes, seeing all the breeds will take a little over 2 hours. The schedule will also show you when group judging begins and the order of group judging.
Immediately following group judging will be Best-In-Show judging.
How a Dog Show Works
Each breed has a written standard that describes exactly how the dog should look and behave. It goes into great detail as to how the dog looks. The judge evaluates how closely the dog “conforms” to the standard, hence the name “Conformation.”
Each breed is judged separately. There are several classes for each sex. Males are judged first. After all the classes are judged the 1st place winners of all the classes are compete against each other. The judge’s selection for the best male is awarded the Winners ribbon and receives championship points.
After the males are shown, the females compete in exactly the same procedure.
Following the female judging, the champions plus the male and female that won championship points compete for Best-Of-Breed. Later in the day, the Best-Of-Breed winner competes against the other Best-Of-Breed winners in his group for Best-In-Group. There are seven groups, sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting, and herding.
The Best-in-Group dog moves up to compete for the ultimate prize … Best-In-Show.
Junior Showmanship
Junior Showmanship competition is to encourage children to learn how to handle show dogs. It provides an opportunity for the kids to compete against each other to see how well they are progressing. The classes are divided by age of the child. They may handle any AKC pure bred dog.
Suggestions when attending the show
- Do not bring your dog to the show. Only dogs that are entered for competition are allowed.
- Baby strollers must be approved at the club desk near the front entrance and a stroller pass will be issued. This is for the safety of the children and small dogs.
- Dogs are not for sale at the show, but you can visit with breeders to find out where you might buy a puppy of that breed and to learn some puppy raising practices to ensure a good pet.
- When approaching an exhibitor at ringside, be sure not to disturb them if they are preparing to go into the ring soon. They are concentrating on the presentation of their dog to the judge and shouldn’t be distracted by long conversations. It’s best just to ask if you can speak with an exhibitor. Most are happy to talk to you after the competition.
- Please ask before petting a dog.
- Be sure to instruct your children to respect the dogs and ask for permission to pet them.
The Public Is Welcome to Attend Our Dog Shows
The dog shows are free to the public each day. It’s a wonderful and inexpensive way to entertain the whole family.
The shows are held each day, Thursday through Sunday, July 27 – 30, 2023. Each day is a separate show, so you can attend any day and see a complete show.
These shows are among the largest on the east coast with an average entry of about 2,000 dogs each day. The dogs hail from over 40 states from California to New England, along with a scattering of dogs from foreign countries. They include popular breeds, such as the Golden Retriever with an entry of nearly 100 dogs, to the Xoloitzcuintli, the Mexican National Breed. With over 150 breeds represented, there will many breeds that you are familiar with, but many more that you have probably never heard of nor seen.
There are 2 events that are fun to watch. The “Conformation” show is about how the dog looks, and the “Junior Showmanship” is for children from 8 to 17 who compete to demonstrate their dog-handling skills.
How to Watch the Show
Breeds are judged at different times in different rings every day. To get the most from the show it’s best to “know before you go.” If you are interested in certain breeds, you should check the schedule for the day you plan to attend. The complete judging program will tell you how many of that breed are competing and at what time and in which ring.
Available around July 19th:
DAILY RING SCHEDULE
COMPLETE JUDGING PROGRAM
If you are interested in seeing the most breeds in the shortest time, it’s best to attend the group judging, where you will see the Best-of-Breed winner of each breed in that group. Judging of a group takes about 20 minutes, seeing all the breeds will take a little over 2 hours. The schedule will also show you when group judging begins and the order of group judging.
Immediately following group judging will be Best-In-Show judging.
How a Dog Show Works
Each breed has a written standard that describes exactly how the dog should look and behave. It goes into great detail as to how the dog looks. The judge evaluates how closely the dog “conforms” to the standard, hence the name “Conformation.”
Each breed is judged separately. There are several classes for each sex. Males are judged first. After all the classes are judged the 1st place winners of all the classes are compete against each other. The judge’s selection for the best male is awarded the Winners ribbon and receives championship points.
After the males are shown, the females compete in exactly the same procedure.
Following the female judging, the champions plus the male and female that won championship points compete for Best-Of-Breed. Later in the day, the Best-Of-Breed winner competes against the other Best-Of-Breed winners in his group for Best-In-Group. There are seven groups, sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting, and herding.
The Best-in-Group dog moves up to compete for the ultimate prize … Best-In-Show.
Junior Showmanship
Junior Showmanship competition is to encourage children to learn how to handle show dogs. It provides an opportunity for the kids to compete against each other to see how well they are progressing. The classes are divided by age of the child. They may handle any AKC pure bred dog.
Suggestions when attending the show
- Do not bring your dog to the show. Only dogs that are entered for competition are allowed.
- Baby strollers must be approved at the club desk near the front entrance and a stroller pass will be issued. This is for the safety of the children and small dogs.
- Dogs are not for sale at the show, but you can visit with breeders to find out where you might buy a puppy of that breed and to learn some puppy raising practices to ensure a good pet.
- When approaching an exhibitor at ringside, be sure not to disturb them if they are preparing to go into the ring soon. They are concentrating on the presentation of their dog to the judge and shouldn’t be distracted by long conversations. It’s best just to ask if you can speak with an exhibitor. Most are happy to talk to you after the competition.
- Please ask before petting a dog.
- Be sure to instruct your children to respect the dogs and ask for permission to pet them.
The Public Is Welcome to Attend Our Dog Shows
The dog shows are free to the public each day. It’s a wonderful and inexpensive way to entertain the whole family.
The shows are held each day, Thursday through Sunday, July 27 – 30, 2023. Each day is a separate show, so you can attend any day and see a complete show.
These shows are among the largest on the east coast with an average entry of about 2,000 dogs each day. The dogs hail from over 40 states from California to New England, along with a scattering of dogs from foreign countries. They include popular breeds, such as the Golden Retriever with an entry of nearly 100 dogs, to the Xoloitzcuintli, the Mexican National Breed. With over 150 breeds represented, there will many breeds that you are familiar with, but many more that you have probably never heard of nor seen.
There are 2 events that are fun to watch. The “Conformation” show is about how the dog looks, and the “Junior Showmanship” is for children from 8 to 17 who compete to demonstrate their dog-handling skills.
How to Watch the Show
Breeds are judged at different times in different rings every day. To get the most from the show it’s best to “know before you go.” If you are interested in certain breeds, you should check the schedule for the day you plan to attend. The complete judging program will tell you how many of that breed are competing and at what time and in which ring.
Available around July 19th:
DAILY RING SCHEDULE
COMPLETE JUDGING PROGRAM
If you are interested in seeing the most breeds in the shortest time, it’s best to attend the group judging, where you will see the Best-of-Breed winner of each breed in that group. Judging of a group takes about 20 minutes, seeing all the breeds will take a little over 2 hours. The schedule will also show you when group judging begins and the order of group judging.
Immediately following group judging will be Best-In-Show judging.
How a Dog Show Works
Each breed has a written standard that describes exactly how the dog should look and behave. It goes into great detail as to how the dog looks. The judge evaluates how closely the dog “conforms” to the standard, hence the name “Conformation.”
Each breed is judged separately. There are several classes for each sex. Males are judged first. After all the classes are judged the 1st place winners of all the classes are compete against each other. The judge’s selection for the best male is awarded the Winners ribbon and receives championship points.
After the males are shown, the females compete in exactly the same procedure.
Following the female judging, the champions plus the male and female that won championship points compete for Best-Of-Breed. Later in the day, the Best-Of-Breed winner competes against the other Best-Of-Breed winners in his group for Best-In-Group. There are seven groups, sporting, hound, working, terrier, toy, non-sporting, and herding.
The Best-in-Group dog moves up to compete for the ultimate prize … Best-In-Show.
Junior Showmanship
Junior Showmanship competition is to encourage children to learn how to handle show dogs. It provides an opportunity for the kids to compete against each other to see how well they are progressing. The classes are divided by age of the child. They may handle any AKC pure bred dog.
Suggestions when attending the show
- Do not bring your dog to the show. Only dogs that are entered for competition are allowed.
- Baby strollers must be approved at the club desk near the front entrance and a stroller pass will be issued. This is for the safety of the children and small dogs.
- Dogs are not for sale at the show, but you can visit with breeders to find out where you might buy a puppy of that breed and to learn some puppy raising practices to ensure a good pet.
- When approaching an exhibitor at ringside, be sure not to disturb them if they are preparing to go into the ring soon. They are concentrating on the presentation of their dog to the judge and shouldn’t be distracted by long conversations. It’s best just to ask if you can speak with an exhibitor. Most are happy to talk to you after the competition.
- Please ask before petting a dog.
- Be sure to instruct your children to respect the dogs and ask for permission to pet them.