Goldenfest just keeps getting bigger
Every year it gets bigger and bigger, and despite the threatening weather, dogs and dog lovers couldn’t stay away.
The sixth annual Goldenfest at the Shell Factory on Saturday brought in a record number of dog lovers, dogs, vendors and fun, with all of it going to a good cause, to benefit Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida so it can pay medical expenses for its dogs.
Alecia Galuppo, president of the GRRSWF, couldn’t have been happier at the response.
“The Shell Factory and us are a good match with the dock dog diving and the dog park and it works out well for us,” Galuppo said. “We want people to be aware of the rescue and all rescues.”
There was a record number of vendors, close to 40, as well as a record number of items up for silent auction and for raffle.
While there wasn’t an official count for attendance, it was safe to assume it was the best attended Goldenfest to date, with hundreds of two-legged and four-legged creatures.
And while there were clouds in the distance, the weather was not a factor.
Terry Rodriguez, of Florida Veterinary Referral Center and 24-hour emergency hospital in Estero, has sponsored this event for three years and has seen the growth.
“The people at the rescue contacted us and we became involved,” Rodriguez said. “I love it, it’s golden heaven.”
Joe Casella and his wife, Erica, came with their golden retriever, Emma. Sacella, a Realtor for Keller Williams Realty, was there to give a check to the GRRSWF for all the great work it does.
“It’s a great organization, we support a lot of charities in the area. We give back 10 percent to local charities in the area and this is one of them,” Casella said. “I can’t believe all the goldens and wet kisses out here.”
There were vendors of all kinds, from dog rescues and supplies, to the unusual, such as a dog kissing booth and pictures with Santa and his elves.
Also on hand was Sgt. Dan Skowdon of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 unit with his partner of more than two years, Ruger, for a meet-and-greet.
“He finds bombs and evidence recovery for drive-by shootings. He’ll find shell casings,” Skowdon said. “We’ll take the dog home with us. We’re a team.”
Dogs had a small pool where they can keep cool. There was also a much larger cooling station at the dock-diving pool, where qualifiers for the world Dock Dog Championships were held. Hundreds of people and their dogs watched, and got their dogs involved if the sport interested them.
Another big winner was the Shell Factory, which saw its first big event of season go off without a hitch.
“Our partnership has been outstanding and I see it as an ongoing event,” said Rick Tupper, marketing director and CFO of the Shell Factory. “It has tripled in size every year and today is the biggest by far. Our store is full and so is the outdoor cafe.”
The Shell Factory also announced the name of the civet will be Mr. Beans, the arrival of two African porcupines, and that it will hold a Fall Festival in November, with details to come, Tupper said.