Mischief, Manners, & Fun!
Golden Fest 2026
Life is Golden at Belle Shain
A Golden-only afternoon of Fast CAT, Dock Diving, Fetch and good food, all in support of canine-cancer research.
Saturday, November 14, 2026 | 12:00–3:00 PM
$25 per adult | Kids & Goldens free
Register ahead, or walk in the day of.
Register NowWhat to Expect
AKC Fast CAT, Dock Diving & Fetch
Group Photo & the Golden Count
Taco Bar Lunch & Sweet Treats
Dance & Tricks Showcase
Golden Giving for Canine-Cancer Research
A Golden-Only Gathering
Last year, 40 families and their Goldens came together for the first Golden Fest. This November, we're expecting 75–150 dog lovers, and we hope to outgrow our grounds.
Plenty of room to run.
Plenty of Goldens to meet.
Plenty of reason to smile.
Other pets from your home are welcome, and Golden fans and future owners are invited to come watch. Maybe you'll find your next pup!
Register Now
Run. Fetch. Fly.
AKC fun events for every Golden, from first-timers to seasoned athletes. Take part in any event you choose. These are just for fun and don’t count toward AKC titles.
Why Golden Fest?
We’ve lost dogs of our own to cancer, and we know that fight. According to the Morris Animal Foundation’s landmark Golden Retriever Lifetime Study, cancer is responsible for the majority of deaths in the breed.
Golden Fest is our way of fighting back. Every charitable sponsorship and gift goes to Project Retrieving Hope, a 501(c)(3), which will make a grant to the Golden Retriever Foundation’s Zeke Cancer Research Fund.
— Frank & Jamie Leatherbury, Belle Shain Kennels
Food & Treats
Lunch: a Taco Bar by DragonFly Foodbar. Dog lovers themselves, we’re so happy to have them on board!
Sweet Treats by Sweet Talkin’ Bakery. Save room for cookies and other goodies for the humans.
Belle Shain Canine Kitchen. Your Golden deserves a treat too! New this year: limited-edition Golden Fest cookie boxes, only at Golden Fest.
Drinks are available for purchase, and there’s plenty of free water for the Goldens.
Golden Fest T-Shirts
Take home a keepsake from the day. Our commemorative Golden Fest design is available for preorder online.
Preorder by October 30.
Plan Your Day
What to Bring
- Chairs and umbrellas
- Weather-appropriate clothes
- Leashes, collars and tethers
- Towels (especially for Dock Diving!)
Poop bags, scoopers and plenty of fresh water are provided.
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Requirements
- Every dog must be registered online, with current vaccination records uploaded.
- Dogs must be friendly with other dogs and under control.
- Dogs stay on leash except during their event.
- Tie-out stakes are available; please supervise your dog.
Golden Fest is a family-friendly celebration exclusively for Golden Retrievers and their households.
Register NowPartner With Us
Golden Fest puts your business in front of 75–150 local dog lovers who spend on premium food, vet care, grooming and pet services, and who remember who showed up for a cause they care about.
Every charitable sponsorship is received by Project Retrieving Hope, a 501(c)(3) (EIN 46-4503798), and supports a grant to the Golden Retriever Foundation’s Zeke Cancer Research Fund, established in 1999 by Bill and Mary Glenn in honor of Zeke.
Golden Giving
Golden Giving Match: A designated partner matches direct gifts to help our community reach a shared goal.
Golden Giving Wall: Give in honor or in memory of a Golden you love.
Golden Giving Collection: Donated goods, gift certificates and experiences offered at set prices, with no bidding and no paid drawings.
Golden Partner
$1,000
Lead Partner
- Lead recognition on the sponsor board and registration page
- Individual social media and email thank-you
- Recognition in opening and closing remarks
- 4 Sponsor Hospitality Passes
Activity Partner
$500
Presenting an Activity
- Featured at one activity area: Fast CAT, Dock Diving or Fetch
- Listed on the sponsor board, registration page and digital materials
- 2 Sponsor Hospitality Passes
Community Partner
$250
Community Support
- Your logo or family name on the sponsor board and registration page
- Shared social media thank-you
- 2 Sponsor Hospitality Passes
Friend of Golden Fest
$100
Friend
- Your business or family name on the sponsor board
- Listed in our post-event thank-you
- 1 Sponsor Hospitality Pass
In-Kind Partner
Custom
Goods & Services
- Recognition tailored to donated goods, gift certificates, services or event support
- Hospitality scaled to the documented value of your contribution
How to Give
Every gift goes to Project Retrieving Hope, a 501(c)(3) (EIN 46-4503798), in support of the Golden Retriever Foundation's Zeke Cancer Research Fund.
Become a Partner: Download the Sponsorship Commitment Form · return by October 23
Golden Giving: Download the Golden Giving Contribution Form · return by November 6
Email forms to [email protected] or mail them to Belle Shain Kennels, 12668 River Creek Dr, Fairhope, AL 36532.
Make checks payable to Project Retrieving Hope. To pay by card, call 251-928-5719.
Online giving coming soon.
Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Your receipt will note the value of any goods or services received, such as hospitality passes.
The Belle Shain Way
At Belle Shain Kennels, Frank and Jamie Leatherbury raise Golden Retrievers the way they believe every Golden deserves: with room to run, water to swim in, and people who love them.
Golden Fest is our way of bringing the Belle Shain family home each fall: the Goldens who started here, the families who love them, and the friends who help us fight the cancer that takes too many of them too soon.
Come for the Goldens. Stay for the family.
Thank You to Our Partners
Golden Fest is made possible by the businesses, families and friends who stand with us in the fight against canine cancer. Our 2026 partners will be recognized here.
Want to see your name here? Become a Golden Fest Partner by October 23.
See You at Golden Fest!
Saturday, November 14, 2026 · 12:00–3:00 PM
Belle Shain Kennels at Grand Hotel Fish Camp, Fairhope, AL
$25 per adult · kids & Goldens free
