Get Ready for GoldenFest XIV: A Pawsome Day of Fun for You and Your Pup!

Calling all dog lovers! GoldenFest XIV is just around the corner, and it’s the perfect way to spend a fun-filled day with your furry best friend. Mark your calendars for Sunday, November 17, 2024, from 10 AM to 2 PM at the Lee Health Sports Complex – Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers. With free admission and parking, it’s a fantastic family outing that won’t break the bank. If you’re looking for great things to do in Fort Myers with dogs, this event has something for everyone. From watching exciting dock diving competitions to shopping at over 100 pet-friendly vendors, there’s plenty of family-friendly events in Fort Myers to enjoy with your dog. Your pup can cool off in wading pools, pose with Santa for festive photos, or just enjoy a golden day out with fellow dog lovers. Trust us, this is an event you and your dog won’t want to miss!

A Perfect Day for Dogs and Families

We attended GoldenFest last year with our golden doodles and had an absolute blast. Whether you’re a dog owner or just love being around furry friends, this is an event that you (and your dog) will want to come back to year after year. If you’re searching for fun things to do in Southwest Florida with your family and your pets, GoldenFest is a must. Our pup had the time of her life splashing around in the wading pools and watching the dock-diving dogs in action. It’s not just a fun event for the pups; humans have a great time too! Between the live music, delicious food, and plenty of vendors offering unique pet products, there’s so much to enjoy for everyone.

This dog-centered, family-friendly event is one of the biggest of its kind in Southwest Florida. Whether you have a Golden Retriever, a golden mix, or any other well-behaved, leashed dog, GoldenFest is open to everyone, so bring your pup along and enjoy a day filled with exciting events. If you’re looking for things to do in Fort Myers with your dog, this event offers fun for both humans and their four-legged friends.

Event Details:

• Date: Sunday, November 17, 2024
• Time: 10 AM – 2 PM
• Location: Lee Health Sports Complex – Hammond Stadium, Fort Myers
• Admission & Parking: Free

Fun Activities You Don’t Want to Miss

Here’s what you can look forward to at GoldenFest XIV:

• Canine Demonstrations & K-9 Law Enforcement: Watch some of the most skilled pups in action as law enforcement K-9s put on impressive demonstrations. From tracking to protection, these dogs will show off their amazing skills.
• Dock Diving with Ultimate Air Dogs: Does your dog love water? If so, you’ll love watching pups take flight with the dock diving competition. It’s one of the most exciting and fun events for dogs that just can’t resist a good splash!
• Pictures with Santa: Capture the holiday spirit by snapping a festive photo of your pup with Santa. Perfect for your holiday cards and memories!

• Live Music & Food Vendors: There’s plenty for the humans too. With live music setting the mood and a variety of vendors and food and drink options, you’ll have no problem staying entertained (and well-fed) throughout the day.
• Pony Rides & Kids’ Activities: Don’t forget to bring the kids! They’ll love the pony rides, bounce house, face painting, and caricature artist. It’s the perfect family-friendly event in Fort Myers for an enjoyable day out.
• Vendor Village: Explore over 100 vendors offering everything from unique dog products and treats to services that can help you pamper your pup. We loved wandering through the vendor booths last year, finding new toys and accessories for our doodles.
• Raffles & Silent Auction: Feeling lucky? Be sure to take part in the raffles and silent auctions for a chance to win some fantastic prizes.

GoldenFest XIV will also have special appearances by NBC2 anchors Lisa Spooner and Christy Soto, adding even more excitement to the day. And let’s not forget the famous Calendar Girls, who will bring their unique and lively energy to the event.

Supporting a Great Cause

While the focus of GoldenFest is a day of fun for you and your pups, it’s also a fantastic opportunity to support an incredible organization: Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida (GRRSWF). This non-profit works tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome Golden Retrievers and Golden mixes in need. Whether they’ve been abandoned, surrendered, or lost, GRRSWF steps in to provide care and find loving forever homes for these dogs. Events like GoldenFest help raise the funds needed to continue their vital work, and by attending, you’re supporting a great cause—without even trying!

But don’t worry, this event isn’t just for Goldens! All dog breeds are welcome, as long as they are well-behaved and on a leash. It’s a wonderful day to meet fellow dog lovers, let your pup socialize, and maybe even find a new favorite treat or toy at one of the many vendor booths. Last year, our golden doodle had so much fun meeting new doggie friends and playing in the wading pools, and we’re excited to go back this year to see what new surprises are in store.

A SWFL Dog Lover’s Celebration

One unique aspect of GoldenFest is its inclusivity. Not only does it support GRRSWF, but it also opens its doors to other local non-profit rescue organizations, area shelters, and humane societies, all at no cost. This makes it a celebration of the entire dog-loving community in Southwest Florida. It’s a beautiful thing to see so many organizations coming together to support our four-legged friends.

For those of you who have never attended before, trust me when I say you don’t want to miss this! Whether your dog wants to splash in the wading pools, chase after frisbees, or simply sniff their way through the vendor booths, there’s truly something for everyone. Plus, with so many activities for the kids—like pony rides, bounce houses, and face painting—it’s the perfect way to spend a family-friendly day in Fort Myers.

So grab your leash, bring your well-behaved furry friend, and join us at GoldenFest XIV for an unforgettable day of fun. Whether you’re coming for the dock diving, the vendors, or just to spend a day celebrating your pup, it’s sure to be a golden day in Southwest Florida. We can’t wait to see you there!