Northeast festival that allows dogs?

I also posted this in the pets forum with no luck. So, I'll try here. The title of the thread pretty much sums up my question. Does anyone know of a camping festival that allows dogs?

 

Try and find a teknival or free festival :cheers2:

 

I can point you to one or two, but they're SMALL. Dogs are an insurance nightmare. It costs a fortune to get coverage, if you even can, and with one bite you can lose it for any future events, including your general liability (which you cannot operate legitimately without). Honestly, and I'm not trying to judge anybody's decisions, dogs really don't have much business being out at a festival in the first place. Its hot, its dusty, crowded, loud. People are getting wasted, not paying attention, dogs get loose off their leash. I don't particularly like dogs, so if there's one loose picking through my garbage, or if 2 get into a snarling match - or worse - in front of me, it really makes me nervous and anxious. Just becsaue you think your rottie or pit bull is the nicest thing in the world, so cute and innocent, I just see teeth and potential problems. That's the kicker right there - you can do whatever you want to have a good time as long as it doesn't interfere with me having my good time. And dogs who get loose, fight, pick through the garbage, or show me the red rocket are messing with my good time. (all things that happen frequently when there are dogs present) Be good to your dog and the people around you who might not like dogs. Leave them home for a couple of days. It won't hurt either of you in the long run.

 

Who said anything about going on tour or allowing my dog to have free reign? My husband and I are very responsible pet owners, not tour kids who get a puppy just for summer shows. Dogs instinctually enjoy being with and traveling with their human families. The more a dog is responsibly socialized with people and other animals the better off for the dog and the owner. I never said anything about wanting to rage, (and by the way, here's my dog). The purpose is solely for my young dog to meet different kinds of people and be exposed to different environments to help socialize him. I've been there, done that, when it comes to raging at large festivals. I'm a grown woman and don't need lectures on responsible pet ownership.

BTlights - if you do know of one or two festivals, please share. I really don't care how small they are and would prefer something low-key.

 

Lightning Ridge in Prattsburg, NY has always been dog tolerant. Its south of Rochester. They're hosting a reggae festival this weekend, the Scottypaluza Aug 13-15, and then there's the Nectar of the Gods in the fall, but, well, you'll just have to poke around for more details on that one.:sifone: You won't ever find more than 300 people up there, but its a really chill environment, very laid back. Of course, you'll get killer music and a great light show, toaboot.
Now that you called me out, I'm having a hard time thinking of any others that are openly dog-tolerant. There are a couple I know who won't give you a hard time about your dog, but at the same time, they really don't want to promote it because its a huge liability. Gotta respect that, especially when most of their website try to discourage the dog attendance.

 

Thanks BTlights. I will definitely look into those festivals. I would never bring my dog to an event that specifically has a rule against it. I don't want to feel the need to hide my dog, nor would I want to disrespect the folks who put a lot of time into organizing such events. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who don't adequately supervise/ clean up after their animals and ruin it for everyone else. I also respect that there are plenty of people who are fearful of dogs and it is simply good manner to have control of your dog at all times (especially since there are often a lot of little ones at camping festivals).

I've seen a lot of sad situations with people losing their unleashed dogs in lots or, unfortunately, sick (and even deceased) puppies on tour. So, I also respect drumminmama's strong opinion on the matter. It's heartbreaking.

Does anyone know if the NY harvest fest still tolerates dogs? I used to attend that event many years ago when it first started out, and always camped with at least one person who had their dog present. It was always a chill little event (or maybe it's gotten a lot larger over the years?).

 

Your perspective may vary, but at 3-4000 I don't consider that a "little event" any more. Only a guess here since I've never been, but I'd say they post the rule of no dogs and might turn a blind eye when you get to the gate.

My take on the whole thing: Bring your dog, but buy them a ticket and show me their papers. Dirtbags don't have vaccination records and can't buy their own ticket. It might weed out the riff raff. I you find an unticketed dog inside, just shoot it.* Do it once or twice and I guarantee everybody else will scoop up their mutts and pony up the cash.





*may not be advisable. Pardon me Sandy, but if I kill all the golfers, won't they lock me up and throw away the key?

 

I don't think there were 3-4000 people last I was at harvest fest, but that was nearly 15 years ago.

While shooting dogs is rather... extreme... I do like the idea of paying a fee to allow your dog to enter. Maybe not full ticket price, but a fee (or maybe a deposit) along with proof of rabies (only vaccination legally required in NY) sounds reasonable. Strictly enforcing a 6' leash rule and clean up is also very fair. Your dog is caught off-lead, and you're out and you lose your deposit.

I'm actually bringing my little guy camping in Saratoga the weekend Phish is there. We'll be skipping the show, and likely skip the lot since we'll have some nice downtime at the campsite while everyone else is at the show (he's still a puppy and needs a lot of rest). Again, the sole purpose is to socialize him around some good friends in a new environment and acquaint him with a little hippie stink. Good times.

 

That festival has grown in the past few years.

Where are you camping? That's where I live. Of course, I'll be elsewhere. I think I'm home 4 weekends all summer. I'd recommend staying away from the lot. They're severely cracking down on the "No alcohol" rule this year, and judging by last weekend's DMB shows, it could be... tense.

 

DMB fans seem to bring a lot of drama to that area. I definitely don't think I'll be making it to the lot. I'm actually looking forward to when everyone is rushing around to go to the show and I'll be sitting back doing nothing but chill at a campfire for a few hours. Sounds like a great night to me.