OctobAIREfest I Weekend started out as a lark. A suggestion was made on an email list that an Airedale Beach Party might be fun, and I took up the torch. In just a few weeks, by the volumes of inquires that I received, I realized that this could be a significant event - that could be held annually. Realizing that since many folks who had committed to attending would be traveling a great distance, OctobAIREfest would have to be more than just an Airedale Beach Party - perhaps the Beach Party, a BBQ, a Silent Auction for Rescue, and some other event that would involve both people and dogs. OctobAIREfest was born.

OctobAIREfest I arrived with crummy weather, much to everyone's chagrin. However, most of the Airedale troops gathered at the beach for a couple of hours. The sun made an appearance, and it actually got HOT. Several dogs romped in the ocean, most just ran amok in the sand, a few got into a tug-o-war with seaweed. To give the dogs some shade, we decided to move on down to the doggy park. Both at the beach and at the park, it was a sight to behold. Nearly two dozen Airedales all off lead, running and romping together. Only a couple of minor tiffs. There was also a Toy Apricot Poodle who thought she was an Airedale, and a darling Welsh puppy, Minnie, who played HARD with everybody. At one point while we were at the beach, Minnie fell into a hole. She came blasting out with sand in her eyes, but didn't even stop for that. While she was running, she was being very economical with her moves - actually wiping sand out of her eyes as she ran, not even slowing down for that.

The BBQ was super. Bob Wagoner did the grilling. Folks brought all kinds of cookies and desserts. Sue Trandem baked dog cookies and had them done up in little bags with photos of her two dogs, Molly and Chloe - in honor of Molly's birthday which was last week. Sue also made scarves for all the dogs who attended.

It took Sidney and me a bit of time to set up the silent auction tables. In all, we had nearly 60 items donated. The auction was a great success, and in all, we collected $2,237.50 for rescue! Sidney graciously offered to be the one who sends the stuff out to you successful onliners. Congratulations to you guys!

My old boy, Ballou, made a grand entrance with his new owners, Ellen and Dave DeArcos, and had a great time greeting folks and playing with his kid (Talon), grandkids (Burt, Sugar, Twinkle), and great grand kids (Paddy, Jomo, and Kawini) and niece (the Trandem's Molly) that were there. What really made me smile big though, was when he came into the park, he ran straight up to me and stood up and gave me a big ol' Ballou style HUG. I haven't seen him since January! He heard my voice and came flying over. What a great old guy.

We had a bit of meat left from the BBQ - so how best to deal with that? Why, cut it up and serve it to our 4-legged guests, of course! Bob Morgan looked like the Pied Piper as the dogs gathered around him and patiently waited for each hand out.

We got group photos at the beach, and tons of photos at the park. As I receive them from folks - I'll put those up and change them so we can try to get everyone's photos up.

The weather cooperated at the park, stayed warm, but overcast most of the afternoon. Rain was forecast for Saturday, and it came - the first drops falling on us just as we were driving away from the park. Then it POURED ALL NIGHT LONG.

We all made a lot of new friends, both 2- and 4-legged. Some folks had to leave on Saturday, but quite a few are getting together going out for the "Airedales Allowed" Wine Tour on Sunday. Should be lots more fun - and we'll have more photos to share from that.

In all, the attendees were:

From Arizona:
Sidney Hardie, Tucson (Jack)

From California:
Bob Wagoner, Los Osos (Phoenix & Dinah)
Karen Morgan, Los Osos
Terry Stevens, Paso Robles (Paddy & Twinkle)
Jane Lightfoot, Glendora (Twoony)
Mary Hanaran, Glendora
Virg Trandem, Santa Barbara (Molly & Chloe)
Mike Trandem, Atascadero
Sue Trandem, Santa Barbara
Denise Melle, Malibu (Jomo)
Gil Melle, Malibu
Will Handover, Camarillo
Jodyne Foresman, Los Osos (Talon & Burt)
Ellen DeArcos, Nipomo (Ballou)
Dave DeArcos, Nipomo
Robert Colligan, Nipomo (Willie)
Tami Colligan, Nipomo
Rick Parker, Panorama City (Aragorn)
Ilene Parker, Panorama City
Cecil Patrick, Bishop (Clemmie)
Scottie Hetzler, Bishop
Gale Wrausmann, Carmel (Squirt)
Kim Connolly, Point Richmond (Tucker)
Kirke LaShelle, Morgan Hill (Kawini)
Johanne LaShelle, Morgan Hill
Kirke LaShelle, Jr., Morgan Hill
Julie Allison, Santa Roas (Zoe)
Matt Allison, Santa Rosa
Tony Searson, Atascadero (Sugar)

From Colorado:
Paul Diggins, Colorado Springs
Mary Diggins, Colorado Springs

From Nevada:
Marie Sistile, Las Vegas (Jake, Zeke & Minnie)
James Bassett, Las Vegas

From Washington:
Jann Rogers, Seattle (Tori)
Randy Rogers, Seattle

Meeting all the people from all around was really special, but the VERY best part, I am sure everyone will agree, was watching all our dogs just running wild, jumping, playing, sniffing, chasing, in a huge pack. They all looked glorious and were so well behaved it was mind boggling. Who would have thought we could have tossed 25 Airedales in a group like that without mishap? We did!

Really wish you all could have been there to see it. Everybody agreed that we need to do it again next year. So - MARK YOUR CALENDAR! for OctobAIREfest II - and be sure to attend!

Our Photo Album!