Memorial
Weekend Classic
Five Shows - One Site
From 2009
Thank you to all who supported our shows.
Mark your Calendars!
May 27-31, 2010
CELEBRATING OUR FOURTEENTH SHOW CLUSTER
**AND SIXTH FIVE DAY WEEKEND**
Click on any link below to find out more information about the Memorial Day Classic
Show Updates Vendor Info Catalog Advertising History RV Parking Pictures of Show site Photo Gallery
Any updates regarding the current year's show will be shown here.
Vendor Info
Would you like to be a vendor at our show weekend? Please contact:
Dave Bible phone: 724-452-3916 email: info@puptentsandmore.com
Would you like to advertise in our show weekend catalogs?
In 1997, Bushy Run Kennel Club, Butler Kennel Club, Trumbull County Kennel Club and New Castle Kennel Club moved from four separate show sites over the Memorial Day Weekend to the Lawrence County Fairgrounds and formed the Memorial Weekend Classic. Over the next eight years, the cluster expanded in entries, vendors and activities. In the late 1990’s, New Castle Kennel Club in conjunction with the Lawrence County Fairgrounds erected the main show pavilion, making the show site one of the premiere places in the east.
Then in 2003, a perfect storm occurred. Bushy Run opted to pull out of the
weekend and hold back to back shows in July. At the same time, New Castle’s
contract with Aliquippa for their fall show had expired and Trumbull lost its
fall show site. With the Fairgrounds available, show days were shuffled and the
three clubs petitioned the AKC and were granted a provisional FIVE day cluster
in 2004. The following year, the same set of five shows was again awarded a
provisional approval. The cluster became permanent in 2006 and has expanded each
year.
In 2008, another shift occurred when Butler withdrew from the weekend to pursue back to back fall shows beginning in 2009. The Fifth Annual Memorial Weekend Classic FIVE DAY cluster made another seamless transition of participating clubs. Laurel Highlands Kennel Association joined the cluster on Thursday and New Castle Kennel and Trumbull moved days within the weekend.
Entries were up across the five days at a time when many shows were experiencing serious declines. There were over 1,000 on Thursday alone and over 1800 entries on Saturday. Only Monday saw a slight decline.
The weather, always unpredictable in western PA, was glorious. Because the grounds were dry, the parking committee was able to park about 205 RV’s ranging in size from campers to semi trailers. This was a record for RV parking. In addition, almost 300 weekend day parking passes were sold to people who were coming and going daily throughout the weekend. Countless individual day parkers filled the other available space. The grounds were wall-to-wall spectators, exhibitors, dogs and 21 vendors by Saturday. License plates from over 40 states and Canada were spotted on the grounds. They ranged from CA to ME to FL and ONT. It was quite an impressive gathering.
During the course of the weekend, Laurel Highlands, Trumbull and New Castle
Kennel Clubs hosted supported entries, sweepstakes and Regional specialties by:
Basset Hound Club of Western Pennsylvania
Bischon Frise Club of Western Pa.
Western Pennsylvania Dachshund Club
Golden Triangle Irish Setter Club
Kerry Blue Terrier Club of Greater Pittsburgh
Allegheny Pekingese Club, Inc
Greater Pittsburgh Samoyed Club, Inc
Greater Pittsburgh Scottish Terrier Club
Knickerbocker Standard Schnauzer Club
Prairieland Standard Schnauzer Club
Greater Pittsburgh Standard Schnauzer Club
Potomac Valley Standard Schnauzer Club, Inc.
Weimarainer Association of Greater Pittsburgh
as well as Standard Schnauzer Club of America National Specialty.
Saturday had 50 Jr. Showmanship entries. Sunday the AKC Registered Handler Program Coordinators and AKC Registered Handlers presented “An Afternoon with the Professionals” program for Junior Showmanship participants, the next generation of dog show people. There was also an AKC Junior Judges’ Seminar Sunday.
Saturday and Sunday had well attended Obedience and Rally Trials. About 20 dogs completed titles in these events.
Saturday evening was the annual “Take the Lead” match. Monday was the “Meet the Breeds” Public Educational opportunity.
We have received numerous compliments on the show from exhibitors and spectators alike. Gear up now and reserve the dates for next year. It promises to be even better.
Under construction
Under Construction
Like to see photo galleries from past shows? Click here