Greyhounds return to Dewey Beach
What began as a small beach gathering of friends and greyhounds in 1995 has grown into one of the nation’s largest events celebrating and promoting adoption of the gentle racing breed.
Greyhounds Reach the Beach returned to Dewey Oct. 3-7, with humans and hounds coming from 19 states and Washington, D.C. for a long weekend of fellowship and special events.
“We have people traveling from as far west as Texas, as far north as Maine and as far south as South Carolina,” said public relations coordinator Sarah Dougherty. “Of course, we have many people coming from nearby states and right here in Delaware.”
Centralized at the Hyatt Place, the event featured speakers such as behaviorists, veterinarians, adoption professionals and more than 50 vendors with products specifically for greyhounds. Humans and their hounds enjoyed a beer and biscuit mixer, local bus tours and a parade.
Dougherty said many greyhounds at the volunteer-run event were adopted after they retired from their racing careers.
“Our primary focus is to support greyhound adoption by donating the money we raise, after expenses, to designated 501c3 greyhound and sighthound adoption groups,” she said.
Dougherty said after the event’s informal beginning, The Greyhound Project operated a larger event until a 2007 nor’easter blew down vendor tents, and the organization ceased managing the event.
From 2008 to 2014, Dougherty said several people ran independent greyhound events at the beach, but the decline in attendance and vendor participation showed the need for strong centralized management.
“In February 2014, the board of directors of the Greyhound Project agreed to allow The Grapehound Wine Tour take over management,” she said.
The Grapehound Wine Tour is a registered Delaware corporation and 501c3 charity benefiting greyhound and sighthound adoption groups. Sighthounds are hunting dogs that use sight and speed, rather than scent and endurance, to hunt.
Dougherty said last year’s event raised nearly $10,000 after expenses.
Go to www.grtb.org.
