April 14 & 15, 2018,~10:00 to 4:00 ~ NEW Location in the Big Red Barn by the Pond!
Photo Courtesy Appalachian Air Canines. credit Wayne Ramsay
Advance tickets have closed. Please purchase Tickets at the Gate
Tickets: $8/child and $10/Adult. Four legged friends do not need tickets. Humans only. (CSA & Season Pass Holders, Children 2 years and under, Active Duty and Retired Military ID card holders do not pay admission)
Advance tickets may be picked up at our will call desk when you arrive.
This adventure for dogs and their people has something for every member of the family including Bluemont Vineyard Wine and Dirt Farm Brewing Beer available in our new location!
The addition of a Frisbee Competition with the Appalachian Air Canines on Saturday brings a new level of excitement to this year’s event.
Jewel Wagner courtesy Appalachian Air Canines. Photo Credit Wayne Ramsay.
The Appalachian Air Canines is a small regional club made up members who enjoy having fun with their dogs through disc-dog sports. Novice and veteran competitors alike are encouraged to give it a try, and the top three finishers in each competitive division will receive award ribbons and prizes. Guests & competitors are welcome to celebrate after the competition at Dirt Farm Brewing for some Brews & Bones.
Contestants and their canine teammates earn points for basic throws and catches, with bonus points for mid-air catches in the Toss/Fetch event. Rules and guidelines can be found at www.aircanines.com. The event welcomes mixed-breed as well as purebred dogs of any age. Pre-registration is not required, and an entry fee of $10 per dog to compete is required. Every entrant will be provided with a premium, competition-grade Frisbee along with a lot of encouragement!
Find out the answer to the question, “What is the Swiss Army Knife of dog training techniques?” with Joyful Dog.
2018 Dog Days Schedule of Activities:
Saturday & Sunday 10am-4pm
- The Joyful Dog staff welcome you to our Playground with Tellington TTouch® elements for confidence and connection, and Parkour and low impact Agility equipment. Ask for a tour!
- Join Susan Sanderson and Marnie Montgomery for mini-lessons throughout the weekend, in which we answer the questions, “What is the Swiss Army Knife” of dog training techniques, and “Why does my dog pull on lead?”
- Susan Sanderson will lead you and your dog through “Training stations” around the lake or farm, in which she’ll introduce tricks and games skills for everyday fun in your backyard or on your walks..
- Doggie Bubbles with the team from Blue Ridge Vet
- 12:30pm “What did my Dog Just Eat?” ~ lively discussion to demystify dog food and treat labels with EJs Meats and Treats
- 2pm~ The Doggie Olympics~ Prizes from VETWagon!
- Dog or Frog– How Many times can your dog jump in 15 seconds?
- Musical Sit– when the music stops your dog has to sit!
- Trick for a Treat– Who has the best trick?
Saturday, Only
- From 1-4, enjoy trick training in the barn with Lisa Spencer. Sign up for a free mini-session at the Joyful Dog table!
- 10am-4pm ~ Appalachian Air Canines Frisbee Competition
Sunday, April 15th Only
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Throughout the day, learn about TTouch® techniques with Marnie Montgomery. Sign up for a free mini-session at the Joyful Dog table.
Our Roosteraunt Bakery will be open 11am-4pm and will be serving up flatbread pizzas, chicken sandwiches, hot dogs, drinks, our infamous cider donuts, and hand-dipped ice cream!
Doggie Business: All canine companions are asked to bring their owners on a leash and sport their finest rabies certification tag or have proof with them. Canine drinking water is available from our farm pump, so bring a bowl to fill to keep Fido hydrated. Please help make the day excellent for all our guests by cleaning up after your dog in all locations on the farm. We are happy to provide scooping bags.
Canine guests know and love the confidence-building fun of Joyful Dog’s signature Playground. Low-impact agility elements are safe and exciting for new and experienced dogs, and the popular T-Touch Training Labyrinth makes walking together fun for you and your best friend. Throughout the day, Joyful Dog trainers will be helping dogs and their humans learn a new trick, sharpen their skills, and have a blast together tackling the challenges in the canine playground. Founder and lead trainer Marnie Montgomery, and trainer, agility instructor, and competitor Susan Sanderson lead visitors in foundations for Agility and Parkour with tunnels, jumps, cavalettis and gentle stability challenges.
New this year is an introduction to Canine Nose Work with Certified Nose Work Instructor Rachel Binfield, CNWI. Your dog has an amazing nose! Come see him make the most of this fabulous skill.
Polish up your dog’s best trick and join the Doggie Olympic Games to go for the gold and prizes sponsored by The Joyful Dog, NOVADog, EJ’s Meats & Treats and Vet Wagon. With a program of education and demonstrations from experts in animal health, training, and area services, the weekend is sure to keep tails a-waggin’. Kids and pets can explore the farm style attractions before boarding the wagon ride out to see the orchards and strawberry field in bloom.
All canine companions are asked to bring their owners on a leash and sport their finest rabies certification tag or have proof with them. Vet Wagon will be hosting a water station for Canine drinking to help keep Fido hydrated. The Farm provides scooping bags to help make the day excellent for all our guests so please clean up after your dog in all locations on the farm. Bring your water dog’s favorite toy for a splash in the farm pond. Four legged guests can splash in the pond and relax in the designated off leash areas but should be leashed at all other times.
Leashed dogs are welcome on the farm all season to u-pick and play with their people. Visitors can monitor GCF Facebook and Twitter pages (@TheFarmerSays) for optimal U-Pick conditions or sign up for U-Pick alerts via www.GreatCountryFarms.com. This is especially helpful to know when to come pick the most popular fruits such as strawberries, cherries, blueberries and peaches as each comes in season.
If you are interested in donating an item to our doggy bags or becoming a vendor (dog related) please contact us via AsktheFarmer@greatcountryfarms.com or (540) 554-2073
2017 Festival Sponsors and Vendors:
Joyful Dog Come connect with your dog and build confidence through TTouch, and a challenging obstacle course!
