Golden retrievers return to Dewey Beach May 10-12
Dewey’s Golden Jubilee means there’s a gold rush heading to the beach Friday to Sunday, May 10 to 12. Golden retrievers and their families will find a little piece of heaven during this fun-filled weekend on Dewey’s beautiful, dog-friendly beaches.
This event is a fun way for golden owners to gather together and celebrate their love for this amazing breed, Delaware’s state dog. Funds raised are donated to the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, part of Morris Foundation’s Canine Lifetime Health Project. It is the largest and longest observational study ever undertaken in the United States to improve the health of dogs. The study is dedicated to helping understand what causes major diseases, including cancer, in the breed, and finding answers to why diseases develop, and how diet, exercise, environment and genetics may impact the dogs’ lifelong health and well-being.
The weekend will kick off with the Gold Rush to Rehoboth at 6 p.m., Friday at Lake Gerar. Goldens and their families will parade through Rehoboth and end at Salty Paws for an Ice Cream Social, shopping and munching at local businesses.
Everyone will gather on the beach at Van Dyke Avenue at 10 a.m., Saturday for registration, blessing of the animals, raffles, and fun and frolicking in the surf with announcements from former Dewey Beach Mayor Diane Hanson. There will be lots of photo ops that include one big group photo and smaller group shots of heroes in the study, rescues, therapy dogs, youngest and oldest. Then, organizers will release the hounds onto the beach and surf so they can do what they do best - live life like someone left the gate open.
A beach bonfire is set for 8 p.m., Saturday, at Van Dyke Avenue. Attendees may bring sticks and marshmallows.
Participants will meet one last time for the poop patrol walk at 10 a.m., Sunday, at the entrance to the beach at Van Dyke Avenue. To ensure no debris or unwanted presents have been left behind, attendees will patrol the beach and then bid each other adieu until the last weekend of September, when they will do it all over again.
