BoardWaddle
JOIN US ON APRIL 17, 18 and 19
BoardWaddle is Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue’s (TSBHR) biggest and and most basset-filled fundraiser of the year, taking over the Ocean City, New Jersey area for one unforgettable weekend! The fun kicks off Friday afternoon with the entertaining Basset Hound Olympics, followed by an evening of good food and great company at Linwood Country Club, featuring a buffet dinner and our fan-favorite Pawction. Saturday is where the magic happens! The legendary Ocean City Doo Dah Parade steps off at noon, and TSBHR proudly brings the largest brigade in the parade with hundreds of basset hounds (and their people!) waddling, wagging, and stealing the show along the streets and boardwalk. After the parade, the celebration continues with our Picnic, complete with food, vendors, games, and awards. We’re rounding out BoardWaddle weekend with some additional Sunday events too! Grab your hounds and join us for a weekend full of fun, friendship, and floppy ears on April 17, 18, 19!
Click HERE to download the BoardWaddle 2026 Packet!
GRAND MARSHAL | ORDER YOUR SHIRTS | MAKE YOUR PLEDGES
PAWCTION TICKETS | SENIOR EXPRESS | EVENTS TIMELINE
PARADE ROUTE | HELPFUL INFO | FAQ’s
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2026 GRAND MARSHAL, SKEETER LYNNE!
Skeeter Lynne is the beloved hound of Marci Thomas. At only 2 years old Skeeter Lynne has been a shining star in helping the Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue family raise funds for hounds in need. Rescued as a puppy by another basset rescue, she is growing up to be full of life, energy, and heart. Skeeter Lynne is known for her playful spirit, her signature decorative harnesses, and her dedication to raising funds in memory of her late sister, Nora Anne. Skeeter Lynne loves nothing more than running like the wind with her buddy Wyatt and spreading joy wherever she goes. She’s touched countless hearts within the basset community and we are excited to have her leading this years parade. Join us in this year’s celebration! Come honor Grand Marshal Skeeter Lynne at the 40th Annual Ocean City, NJ Doo Dah Parade on Saturday, April 18, 2026! Let’s come together to celebrate this incredible breed’s spirit, resilience, and love…and to cheer on our amazing 2026 BoardWaddle Grand Marshal!
ORDER BOARDWADDLE SHIRTS & WADDLE BOUND CAR FLAGS
Click HERE for the online shop!
Waddle shirts are a must-have, and this year’s design features a beautiful beach baby, our 2026 Grand Marshal, SKEETER LYNNE. This gorgeous design was created by the incredibly talented Pam Tanzey.
NEW this year, we have a limited edition “Waddle Bound!” car flag that clips onto your car window. The flag features a classic basset hound silhouette on a bold blue background and is the perfect way to show your basset pride while traveling to the BoardWaddle events and beyond.
- Click HERE for the online shop!
- Shirts come in three styles (short sleeve tee, long sleeve tee and zip up hooded sweatshirt) and two colors (navy and stonewash denim). Popular sizes sell out quickly!
- The car flags are 18″ x 12″ in size and the design is printed on both sides on fade resistant material. Each flag includes a clip to easily
attach it to your car window. - Orders will start shipping in February.
- Prices for all items include shipping.
- Online sales end on April 3rd. After this date you can only purchase items in-person during BoardWaddle weekend at the Basset Hound Olympics, at Parade Registration or the at Picnic.
MAKE YOUR BOARDWADDLE PLEDGES
Start collecting your BoardWaddle pledges NOW! Share this link with friends and family: https://rebrand.ly/BoardWaddle.
Be sure to tell them to enter your name (or your dog’s name) so the pledge gets credit to YOUR FUNDRAISING TOTAL! You can also turn in your pledges in-person at the Parade Registration (cash, check, credit card and Venmo accepted).
PAWCTION DINNER
When: Friday, April 17th
Time: 5:00pm is the cocktail hour and buffet dinner is served at 6:00pm
Where: Linwood Country Club | 500 Shore Road, Linwood, NJ 08221
Cost: $45 per person | Tickets are available HERE!
The Pawction includes one of a kind Basset-themed items that you bid on from a professional auctioneer. There is also a silent auction, raffle table, prize give aways and more! Casual dress and there is a cash bar available. Online ticket sales end on April 14th. Tickets are not available at the door. Casual attire. Cash bar. Note: Dogs are not permitted at this venue.
If you have any dietary restrictions, please email boardwaddle@tristatebassets.org. The dinner menu will be posted here once available from the venue.
SENIOR EXPRESS
Do you have a Senior dog who cannot walk the entire 1.68 mile parade route? Hitch a ride on the Senior Express! For just a $25 donation you can ride with your hound for the entire parade (ONE human per hound). Tickets are available HERE!
If you don’t get a spot on the Senior Express, here are some suggestions on how to participate in the parade with an older hound:
- Pull/push them in your own wagon or stroller.
- Walk in the parade for a short distance and then hitch a ride on the “Pooped Pup” Truck. This is a designated pick up truck and trailer that is at the very end of the Parade.
- Hang out at registration and then once the Parade starts, drive down to the Picnic grounds to wait for the rest of the waddlers (football field next to the OC Recreation Dept at E. 6th Street and Boardwalk).
EVENTS TIMELINE
FRIDAY, APRIL 17th
Basset Hound Olympics
- When: Friday, April 17th
- Time: Registration starts at 11:00am and events start at 12:00pm
- Where: Ocean City Tabernacle grounds (corner of E. 6th St & Asbury Ave)
- Events: 10-meter sprint, 15-meter hurdles, high jump (set to 6″ to start) and obstacle course
- Gold, silver, bronze medals for the winners
- No pre-registration required
- No admission fee and plenty of free parking
- Only Basset Hounds and Basset Hound Mixes are allowed to compete
- BoardWaddle 2026 shirt and new TSBHR available
- Soft pretzels/water available or bring your own food (www.oceancityvacation.com)
PARADE ROUTE
If you walk the entire parade route, it is 1.68 miles from the start (at the OC Fire Department) to finish at the Picnic grounds on the football field next to the OC Recreation Dept (at E. 6th Street and Boardwalk).
HELPFUL INFO
General Rules & Tips
- Everyone and every dog breed is welcome to join the Parade and Picnic!
- All dogs must be up-to-date on shots (recommend bringing a copy of your dog’s records; rabies is a required vaccine in NJ).
- Only Bassets and Basset-Mixes can participate in the Olympics.
- Owners must be responsible for their dogs (please clean up after them and keep them leashed at all times).
- TSBHR is not responsible for damage/harm incurred to any dog/person.
- Sales of animals of any kind are not permitted.
- If your dog gets tired during the Parade, hitch a ride on the “Pooped Pup” truck (this is a designated pick up truck and trailer that is at the very end of the Parade).
- All of our events are rain or shine! Check our socials for real time updates: FACEBOOK or INSTAGRAM.
Handy Checklist
- Create a list of your family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. who would make a donation. Remember, it doesn’t hurt to ask them to support the rescue!
- Set a fundraising goal and continue to raise it right up until the Parade!
- You and your donors can submit donations online via credit card or PayPal (HERE), mail them (via check) to P.O. Box 126
Milmay, NJ 08340 or hand them in at the Parade (cash, check, credit card, Venmo accepted in person). - Make your hotel reservations.
- Make your costumes and parade floats to enter in the Picnic contests.
- Sign up for the ‘Senior Express’ if your older hound cannot walk the parade.
- Check the weather and prepare for cooler temperatures.
- Bring water and bowls for your hounds and blankets/chairs for the Picnic.
- Buy tickets for the Pawction Dinner.
- Buy your shirts online as popular sizes sell out fast.
Dog Friendly Hotels
Note: Note: We no longer have a partnership with a local hotel for a room block. Below are some hotels that are confirmed to be pet friendly.
Coral Sands Motel
- 709 E. 9th Street, Ocean City, NJ
- 609-399-4540
- www.facebook.com/coralsandsocnj
Sifting Sands Motel
- 840 Ocean Drive, Ocean City, NJ
- 609-399-1178
- https://thesiftingsands.com/
Motel 6
- 431 Bay Ave, Somers Point, NJ
- 609-365-2224
- www.motel6.com
Other Dog Friendly Lodging Options:
FAQ’s
Are dogs allowed at all the events?
- The only event that dogs are not permitted is the Pawction Dinner on Friday night.
- Only Basset Hounds and Basset Hound Mixes may participate in the Basset Olympics.
- Every dog breed is welcome at the Parade and Picnic! We ask that the dogs you bring are up-to-date on shots and friendly towards other dogs and people.
Can I purchase tickets to the Pawction Dinner at the door?
- No. You must purchase Pawction Dinner tickets in advance HERE.
Are all outdoor events rain or shine?
- On Saturday, the Parade and Picnic will proceed as scheduled rain or shine. On Friday, in the event of rain, we may opt to have the Basset Olympics at the Picnic following the Parade on Saturday. Please check our Facebook page for real-time updates: www.facebook.com/TSBHR.
Will there be food to purchase at the Basset Olympics, Parade Registration and Picnic?
- Yes. There will be snacks/drinks available for a small donation to TSBHR. You can also bring your own food or visit one of the many places on Asbury Ave or the Boardwalk: oceancityvacation.com/places-to-eat.html.
How do my BoardWaddle pledges help the rescue?
- Pledges go to the general fund to pay for the dogs currently in our care (e.g., spay/neuter, monthly flea/tick and heartworm preventatives, veterinary bills, transport costs, meds, etc.) and continue saving more dogs in need.
Do you have a senior dog who cannot walk the entire parade route?
- Sign them up in advance for a spot on the ‘Senior Express’ so they can ride the entire parade route. Or you can walk the parade until they get tired and hitch a ride on the “Pooped Pup Truck” or pull them in your own wagon/push them in your own stroller.
Do I need to sign up in advance for the costume/parade float contests and Basset games?
- No. Come to the Picnic after the Parade and sign up for the contests/games at the DJ booth/Picnic registration table.
Do you have additional questions?
- Email: boardwaddle@tristatebassets.org
- Visit our Facebook page for real-time updates: www.facebook.com/TSBHR