How about a Maryland LabFest?

[Kim Sellers]

I would be interested in coming Bringing two dogs.

[PATEX]

Originally Posted by npllewellyn

I'm going to try to keep bumping this to the top until we get a respectable turnout of interest here!! I know we've got more people in the region than this!!

For those of you who went to the gathering in NJ, let me ask a few questions:

* How long were you all at the park?
* Were there any organized activities, any plans, etc., or did you all just meet and turn the dogs loose?
* Did you have any kind of picnic, potluck meal, whatever?
* Did you just drive there for the day and back home, or did any of you spend the night in NJ? (just wondering if I would need to look for some hotels in the area)

Let's keep this discussion going -- I REALLY want to meet all of you -- and your dogs, of course!!

I can't answer for the NJ one, but I went to one in TX. It was at sesser's house, not at a park. I don't know what the facilities are like at Quiet Waters, so perhaps Jamie or someone who has been there can speak to that. We had a potluck & grilled burgers & hot dogs at sesser's place, and there was no organized activity -- just dogs playing, swimming, and having a good time while their people chatted. A few people brought goodies for the dogs. Faye brought homemade bandanas for the dogs, and Faye & Valerie brought homemade doggie cookies. Joe Maringo brought assorted chew bones and plush toys. It was a big party for the pups! I can't remember how many hours we were there, but it was at least 4, I'd guess. Some people may have spent the night in the area, but we drove the 3 (?) hours home.
I will say this -- name tags are good!

[Quasia Cutie]

Oh wow, you guys were pretty organized! The last time we were at Quiet Waters we didn't have too much set. We just met at a certain time near the section of picnic tables next to the dog park and decided what to do from there (I wasn't in charge, I just listened). As we were waiting for more people to come, we let the dogs loose in the dog park. Then, after people came we walked over to the dog beach (it's about a 5-10 walk from there). We stayed there for awhile. I can't remember quite how long it was, but it was a good while, until we got hungry.

We walked back over to the picnic tables and had a potluck meal, while the dogs rested. I think afterwards some people went back to the dog park, but it looked as if it was going to rain, so we left after that.

[Lucy'sMom]

Originally Posted by npllewellyn

I'm going to try to keep bumping this to the top until we get a respectable turnout of interest here!! I know we've got more people in the region than this!!

For those of you who went to the gathering in NJ, let me ask a few questions:

* How long were you all at the park?
* Were there any organized activities, any plans, etc., or did you all just meet and turn the dogs loose?
* Did you have any kind of picnic, potluck meal, whatever?
* Did you just drive there for the day and back home, or did any of you spend the night in NJ? (just wondering if I would need to look for some hotels in the area)

Let's keep this discussion going -- I REALLY want to meet all of you -- and your dogs, of course!!

I was at the park for a little over 3 hours. Amanda was there a bit longer and the folks who traveled down from Massachussetts were there even longer.

We didnt' have any organized activities, we just go there and turned the dogs loose and everyone just kind of did their thing keeping an eye on their dogs. There were a couple of times when a lot of people were down at the swimming area and not in the field. But when everyone was in the field it was quite a sight to see all those labs running around.

Most people drove for the day and went home but the folks from Mass spent the night in a nearby hotel and went back to the park the next morning to tire their kids out a bit more before their 5 hour drive home.

This is the second time Amanda and I tried to have some kind of lunch thing, but it didn't happen either time. There was just too much going on keeping an eye on the dogs, etc. Gathering everyone for a group photo was a challenge. So lunch never happened. I think if you're at someone's house, that idea is a bit easier, but in this situation where there was really no place to sit and still keep an eye on the dogs, it just wasn't going to work.

I think, speaking for myself only (and probably Amanda) I would probably spend the night if I came down. I'd make a little trip out of it.

Hope this helps! The dog park you're looking at looks fun!

[celmo76]

Just let us know what dates. It's under a 2 hour drive, so we'd be able to do it (that way if it's just me I'm good). The girls get nutty after being in the car too long.

[jaw111]

sounds good.only 45 minutes away

[Alysally]

I am in Maryland and I have been to Quiet Waters. The dog park is a good size. It is a beautiful park! We never made it to the dog beach. I would love to go to a Labfest there! Someone say a date and I will do my darndest to be there!!! YAY!!!!

[surfbear]

If someone sets a date, I would try to see if I could make it... there are a few more MD/DE people on here too... I'll go ahead and PM them the thread to see if they would be interested....

[ThatGirl]

The dog beach at Quiet Waters is perhaps Eli's favorite place in the WORLD. I seriously make the 45 minute drive to Annapolis just to go there quite often It's a little bit of a trek away from the main parking lot and main dog park, but its totally worth it. They also have dog rinsing stations before you go back into your car.

I went with a friend and her cattle dog over Labor Day weekend last year and it was PACKED - I would say at least 40 dogs. It was crazy fun - Eli was going crazy.

[MellowYellow]

A doggie beach??? Within driving distance??? (Google maps says 1h 37min from me) Can Virginia pups come?

[BlueCrab]

Thanks for the PM, Ronda! We would love to participate! Just throw out some dates - we're pretty open this summer. Great idea!!!

[npllewellyn]

Originally Posted by MellowYellow

A doggie beach??? Within driving distance??? (Google maps says 1h 37min from me) Can Virginia pups come?

As far as I'm concerned, anybody can come!! Maybe we ought to have a doggie prize for the dog/human combo that comes the farthest!! OK -- who's brave enough to drive a long ways away???

[LovinLabs]

I would be interested in coming depending on how the scheduling works. Allie should be ready to be spayed July - August time frame depending on the vets approval. Obviously that could interfere but if the timing worked I am sure that she would love it.

[ravendave]

I live in York County, PA and I would be up for a maryland labfest possibly

[SablesMom]

Originally Posted by surfbear

If someone sets a date, I would try to see if I could make it... there are a few more MD/DE people on here too... I'll go ahead and PM them the thread to see if they would be interested....

Thanks for the Pm Ronda!

Sable says is Bear going to be her Date?



What's it going to be Bear Boy! ... Yes or No