April 18 - 21, 2024 Schedule
Thursday, April 18, 2024
4 PM
Welcome Parade / Blessing of the Hounds / Social
Bring your hounds and come to our Welcome Parade for the Blessing of the Hounds, a Hot Dog Social, Free Raffle, and a Goodie Bag
Location: Gettysburg Outlet Mall Parking Lot (by the flag pole)
7 PM
Bill's Get-to-Know-You Game Night*
The Axell family will again provide a fun evening of games and surprises designed to help you get to know other guests, meet up with old friends, and maybe win prizes!
Location: Grand Ballroom, Eisenhower Hotel
* Event Ticket Required
Cost: $5/person
Friday, April 19, 2024 - Allstar Center Opens at 9 AM
8:00 AM Battlefield Walk (No ticket or bracelet required)
The McPherson Barn and Its Historical Significance
Guide: William Thomas
The McPherson Barn has been called "the sole survivor of the events that took place there on July 1, 1863. After reviewing the farm's history, we will examine the combat that took place there and discover the farm's role in the battle. You will learn about three Medal of Honor recipients, a civilian fighter, a ruse to avoid artillery fire, a combat artist, valiant color bearers, red-legged devils, buck-tails, tar heels, and others. Push off will be 8 a.m. sharp.
Location of the McPherson Barn: The gate for the farm is on the East side of Stone Avenue, near the West End Comfort Station. From the center square in Gettysburg (Lincoln Square) travel west on Chambersburg Street, (west on Route 30). In a few blocks, you will come to a fork; stay to the right. You will come to a traffic signal--stay straight through the signal, then take the first left onto Stone Avenue. Park in the gravel lot behind the comfort station or on the right side of Stone Avenue (to the side, but keep one set of wheels on the pavement).
9:00 AM Allstar Center Opens
(Registration / Vendor Shopping / Raffle Ticket Sales)
11:00 AM Speaker #1, Activities Area, Allstar Center (Bracelet Required)
Irish Connections Update
Dr. Pat Meskell, Director of Veterinary Services, Greyhound Racing Ireland, Limerick, Ireland
The Greyhound and Ireland – historic and current perspectives.
An overview of the sport of greyhound racing in Ireland in the past and how it is faring today, including its challenges. Discussions will include the unique features of the Irish Greyhound and how it has evolved, as well as comments on the Irish Greyhound as a pet and what we are doing to promote the rehoming of our retired racing dogs.
Dr. Meskell spent over 20 years in mixed veterinary practice in County Cork in southern Ireland, where he attended most species, but mainly dairy cattle, with an increasing amount of time being devoted to small animals, including some greyhound-owning clients. Then a career change had him spending over another 20 years working with the Department of Agriculture in Ireland where he had responsibilities for meat packing plants and on-farm regulation and welfare. Dr. Meskell is now the Director of Veterinary Services in Greyhound Racing Ireland, responsible for the laboratory, welfare on tracks and rehoming retired greyhounds.
12:00 Noon Speaker #2, Activities Area, Allstar Center (Bracelet Required)
James Wyrick, Keystone Paranormal Society
Monterey Pass /Gettysburg - History and Paranormal Happenings
A brief discussion presenting the history of the Battle of Monterey Pass - often referred to as Gettysburg -Day 4 which will also showcase EVP's and photos of paranormal happenings captured at various venues in the area. This relatively unknown battlefield has recently opened to paranormal investigators assisted by historians to paint a fascinating look into events and the history of this area. The area of Monterey Pass is largely unchanged from its "Colonial Road" roots of the mid 1700's and is an untapped well of energies and possibilities. A discussion and answer period concerning the paranormal - equipment - and locations will be entertained at the end of the presentation as well. The presenters are involved in the paranormal field and operate a "haunted" Bed and Breakfast in the city of Waynesboro as well.
1:00 PM Speaker #3, Activities Area, Allstar Center (Bracelet Required)
Dog Behaviors & Sighthounds, Followed by Q&A
Kyle Adams of Captain Spish Dog Behavior, Springfield, Ohio
Captain Spish is a Dog Behavior Expert specializing in fear and anxiety. He also has a bi-weekly podcast on all major platforms discussing various behaviors and everything dog-related.
2:00 PM Speaker #4, Activities Area, Allstar Center (Bracelet Required)
The Australian Connection: How Far We've Come; Where We're Going
Sean Stanton, Rehoming Manager, Greyhound Racing Victoria, Melbourne, Australia
4:00 PM Allstar Center - Vendor Shopping/Registration Closes)
Thanks for joining us today! We hope you will join us for our evening event!
6:30 PM Woodstock Revival Banquet*
Woodstock Revival & Dinner!
If you have come to our parties before, you know how much fun they are! Bring your dog to our tie-dyed Woodstock Revival!
Music, games, great food and candy buffets, contests, raffles and other surprises and fundraisers await! We will add more details as we go along, but dig out your platform heels and be prepared for an evening of fun!
Only a few extra tickets will be available, so register early. (Walk-ins welcome after 7 p.m. No Buffet)
Location: Grand Ballroom, Eisenhower Hotel
6:00 p.m. Doors/Cash Bar Opens for Ticket Holders Only
* Event Ticket Required
Cost: $29/person
Saturday, April 20, 2024 - Allstar Center Opens at 9 AM
8:00 AM Sunrise Symposium at Seminary Ridge Museum*
“A Scene of So Much Sorrow and Anguish:”
Nature, Environment, and Public Health in Gettysburg’s Aftermath - For four days in July 1863, the area around Gettysburg swelled to almost one hundred seventy thousand souls, making it the sixth largest city in the United States. The rapid and unexpected influx of soldiers, support staff, and animals from two armies placed a tremendous strain on this small rural community. By the time the United States and Confederate forces departed the area, they had trampled farmers’ crops, stolen foodstuffs, befouled the landscape with human and animal waste, and touched off disease. How did this affect the civilian population, and how did they survive?
This seminar will also include a free ticket for admission to the Museum, good for any time over the weekend (sorry, dogs are not allowed inside the Museum proper).
Location: Seminary Ridge Museum 111 Seminary Rdg, Gettysburg, PA 17325
*Event Ticket Required
Cost: $6/person
8:30 AM ART WORKSHOP with GREYHOUND DESIGN ARTIST LINDA K EVANS*
Come join "Hidden Hounds" Greyhound Design Artist Linda K Evans for GiG's longest-running Art Workshop.
This year, she'll offer an all-new theme using colored pencils, markers, ink stamping and Greyhound templates so you can let your creative side come and play! You'll create a finished, framed piece of Greyhound art ready to hang and enjoy. All materials are provided, and no artistic skills are required! Bring your love of hounds, and take home your finished and framed masterpiece!
Registration is capped at 20 -SOLD OUT
Location: Allstar Center Cafeteria
*Event Ticket Required
Cost: $35/person
11:00 AM Costume Contest
A perennial favorite, the costume contest this year will partially reflect our party theme...one of the categories is Woodstock Revival! The other categories are Best Group and Do Your Own Thing. A cash prize will be awarded in each category!
Location: Gather in the Activities Area of the Allstar Center
11:30 AM Ice Cream Social for People & Dogs
Hosted by Senior Sighthound Sanctuary
Donations Accepted
Location: Just outside of the Activities Area in the Allstar Center
12:00 Noon Speaker #1, Activities Area, Allstar Center (Bracelet Required)
Spanish Updates: SAGE
Petra Postma
In Their Own Words: Spanish Rescues Speak Out
Save A Galgo Espanol (SAGE), Grateful Greyhounds, The Sanctuary at Bluebird Lane, and Love, Hope, Believe Galgo Adoption all sent out surveys and interviewed various Spanish Galgo and Podenco rescues in Spain. They were interested in the current situation for Galgos and Podencos. Hear the facts about the situation in Spain.
1:00 PM Speaker #2, Activities Area, Allstar Center (Bracelet Required)
Greyhound & Galgo: Medical Issues & Idiosyncrasies
Dr. Karen Michalski, (Dr. Karen), Serenity Animal Hospital, Sterline Heights, MI
2:00 PM Speaker #3, Activities Area, Allstar Center (Bracelet Required)
Genetic testing to prevent delayed postoperative hemorrhage (DEPOH) in sighthounds
Dr. Michael Court, Professor, Pharmacology & Genomics and William R. Jones, Endowed Chair in Companion Animal Medicine, Washington State University
Greyhounds and some other sighthound breeds are susceptible to developing bleeding complications ranging from severe bruising to potentially fatal hemorrhage that starts hours to days after a major surgery (DEPOH). Studies in our laboratory have identified a genetic mutation associated with DEPOH in sighthounds. This talk will provide an overview for sighthound owners of DEPOH and how it can be prevented through genetic testing and prophylactic drug therapy.
Dr Court holds the William R. Jones Endowed Chair in Pharmacogenomics at Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. He is a veterinary clinician-scientist with over 40 years of research experience funded by the National Institutes of Health, American Kennel Club, and Morris Animal Foundation, resulting in more than 180 peer-reviewed research papers.
2:00 PM Saturday's Raffle Tickets Drawn & Posted
(Note: Winners will have until 4 p.m. to pick up your raffle prizes)
3:00 PM Speed Run
Think you've got the fastest hound around? Prove it with a clocked-speed run.
This is a running event; we use a radar gun to clock your hound's speed. Prizes awarded to both the fastest and the slowest! Note that this event will be canceled if the grass is wet.
Location: Off Leash Play Area
3:30 PM PAPER MACHE CARTUNA HOUND SPECTACULAR ART WORKSHOP*
PAPER MACHE CARTUNA HOUND SPECTACULAR ART CLASS with the hound-famous Steve Wirtz! This fun, messy DIY workshop allows you to create a sculpture in the style of Steve Wirtz. This 3-hour class will have you gluing paper strips over pre-made wire armatures (forms). The hard part is done for you. Wirtz will show you tips and techniques to make your own sculpture! Absolutely no artistic talent is needed. Just show up wearing clothes you don't mind getting messy (or an apron) and a rag or towel to wipe off your hands now and then. All other supplies/materials are provided. Additional wire forms/kits will be available for purchase. Event ticket required.
Location: Allstart Center Cafeteria
Cost: $45/person. SOLD OUT!
4:00 PM Vendor Shopping/Registration Closes
Note: No vendor shopping on Sunday. The Allstar Center will not be open.
6:00 & 8:00 PM The Landshark Saga
PREMIER!
The Landshark Saga
Grand Ballroom, Eisenhower Hotel
Two showings: 6 PM and 8 PM.
Join our event photographer and trivia host, Bill Axell, as he premiers his long-awaited documentary. The Landshark Saga follows a litter of NGA greyhound puppies from birth to retirement. Be the first to watch the final cut of this documentary before its release to the general public. A cash bar will be available!
Location: Grand Ballroom, Eisenhower Hotel
No ticket required
Option 2:
6 - 10 PM
Hauser Hill Event Center
Bonfire/Live Music/Wine Tastings. We have been invited back to the Hauser Hill Event Center for an evening of fun, great friends, music, and good food. A heated tent will be provided if necessary. The wine-tasting room, terrace, and deck will also be open to dogs. This is a beautiful location with stunning views in every direction, so bring a chair, a blanket, and your hound(s) and join us for a relaxing evening under the stars.
The Mexican Food Truck will be at the Event Center from 6 PM to 10 PM.
Specializing in Mexican dishes such as Burritos, Tacos, Nachos, Quesadillas, Enchiladas, Beans and rice.
(No ticket required.)
Sunday, April 21, 2024 - No Sunday Vendor Sales
9:00 AM Seminar: Sallie the War Dog with the 11th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry
Beyond the Battle Museum, Adams County Historical Society
This is a first for GiG! The brand-new Beyond the Battle Museum has invited us to join them for a talk and tour. We have visited this museum, and for those of you who have interests beyond the Civil War, this will be for you. It's a gorgeous place, and the stories are riveting, especially the "Civil War Experience Room." It gives you a close-up and personal view of an in-town battle. It's frightening, exciting, and informative all at the same time...not to be missed. The talk will be approximately 45 minutes and will be outside, so please bring a chair and dog blanket, but note that dogs will not be permitted inside the museum. GiG registrants (with a bracelet) can purchase tickets for the museum at a group discounted rate of $12/person, but you must show your event bracelet to get that rate.
Note: No Bracelet Needed to Attend the Talk, only to buy museum tickets.
Location: Beyond the Battle Museum 625 Biglerville Rd., Gettysburg, PA 17325