BoardWaddle
FRIDAY, APRIL 14th & SATURDAY, APRIL 15th
This is the largest annual fundraiser for Tri-State Basset Hound Rescue (TSBHR) held over Friday and Saturday in and around Ocean City, NJ. Events open with the Basset Hound Olympics on Friday afternoon followed by a fabulous Country Club dinner and “Pawction” in the evening. Saturday is the big day! Ocean City’s Doo Dah Parade kicks off at noon. TSBHR has the largest brigade in the parade consisting of you and your hounds! What a sight to see…hundreds of hounds strutting down the streets and boardwalk. After the parade we have a picnic with food, vendors, games and awards. Join us for all of these fantastic events on April 14th and 15th!
Click HERE to download the BoardWaddle 2023 Packet!
GRAND MARSHAL | ORDER YOUR SHIRTS | MAKE YOUR PLEDGES
PAWCTION TICKETS | SENIOR EXPRESS | EVENTS TIMELINE
PARADE ROUTE | HELPFUL INFO | FAQ’s
THIS YEAR’S GRAND MARSHAL IS FLASH!
Flash is a 10 year old southern gentleman who came to us all the way from Louisiana! Surrendered due to his owners new housing situation, TSBHR brought him into the rescue and up north. Flash was a foster with the Vinzant family for several months. Jay and Dean Lieberman are longtime supporters of TSBHR. They had recently lost their beloved basset wanted to rescue again, so they adopted Flash. This sweet, cuddly, handsome boy is very fond of food! His pastimes include breakfast, lunch, dinner and several snack in between (very apparent from his 70lb stature). Flash enjoys a leisurely stroll, where he insists on saying ‘hi’ to everyone he meets! His strict exercise routine is always followed up by a nice nap, in a bed that he has taken the time to personally construct. Once nestled in his bed, he will assume the position for belly rubs, which he gives kisses in return. Flash loves to go for rides and will never refuse a cruise in the car. He is a wonderful representative for our 2023 Boardwaddle, supporting TSBHR’s rescue mission. Congratulations Flash! We are looking forward to our 2023 BoardWaddle at the 36th annual Ocean City Doo Dah Parade!
ORDER BOARDWADDLE SHIRTS
Waddle shirts are a must-have, and this year’s design is fabulous! Featuring our 2023 Grand Marshal, Flash as a sailor, this design was created by our friend, Alyssa Owens (artist and owner of Hush Puppy Design Co).
- Shirts come in three styles (short sleeve tee, long sleeve tee and zip-up hoodie) and two colors (Sport Grey and Slate Blue).
- Popular sizes sell out quickly! Click HERE to access our online shop
- Online shirt sales end on Tuesday, April 11th at 5:00pm, est. After this date you can purchase shirts at Basset Hound Olympics, Parade Registration or the Picnic.
Click HERE to access our online shop!
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!
PAWCTION DINNER
When: Friday, April 14th at 5:00pm
Where: NEW VENUE! Linwood Country Club | 500 Shore Road, Linwood, NJ
Cost: $30 per adult or $15 per child (must buy in advance)
The Pawction includes one of a kind Basset-themed items that you bid on. There is also a silent auction, prize give aways and more! Casual dress and there is a cash bar available. Online ticket sales end on March 31st at 5:00pm, est. Tickets are not available at the door. Note: Dogs are not permitted at this 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).
UPDATE! All SPOTS FOR THE SENIOR EXPRESS HAVE BEEN RESERVED!
Alternatives to riding on the Senior Express are:
-
- Pull your slower hound in a wagon.
- Walk in the parade for a short distance and then hitch a ride on the “Pooped Pup” Truck that is at the end of the brigade.
- Hang out at registration and then once the Parade starts, drive down to the Picnic grounds to wait for the rest of the waddlers.
EVENTS TIMELINE
FRIDAY, APRIL 14th
Basset Hound Olympics
- When: Registration starts at 11:00am and the games begin at 12:00pm
- Where: Ocean City Tabernacle grounds (corner of E. 6th Street and Asbury Avenue)
- 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 parking
- Only Basset Hounds and Basset Hound Mixes allowed to compete
- Purchase BoardWaddle t-shirts and hoodies
- Soft pretzels/water available to purchase or bring your own food (oceancityvacation.com/places-to-eat.html)
- In the event of inclement weather, we may opt to have the Basset Olympics at the Picnic following the Parade on Saturday, April 15th, so check our Facebook page and Instagram Stories for real-time updates.
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 (football field next to the Civic Center).
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).
- Only Bassets and Basset-Mixes can participate in the Olympics.
- Owners must be responsible for their dogs (please clean up after them).
- 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 tied during the Parade, hitch a ride on the “Pooped Pup” truck.
Handy Checklist
- Create a list of your family, friends, co-workers 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 (link above), mail them or hand them in at the Parade.
- 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
Sonesta ES Suites
- 900 Mays Landing Rd, Somers Point, NJ
- 609-927-6400, Select option #0
- www.sonesta.com/somerspoint
- Call them for our group rates (mention TSBHR or BoardWaddle when you call)
- Group rate booking only available until March 13th!
Coral Sands Motel
- 709 E. 9th Street, Ocean City, NJ
- 609-399-4540
- www.facebook.com/coralsandsocnj
Tide Winds Motel
- 231 E. Davis Ave, Wildwood, NJ
- 609-553-3048
- www.tidewindsmotel.com
Other Dog Friendly Housing 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 (via our website or paper registration).
Are all outdoor events rain or shine?
- Yes. In the event of rain, we may opt to have the Basset Olympics at the the Picnic following the Parade on Saturday. Please check our Facebook page for real-time updates: www.facebook.com/TSBHR. The Parade Picnic with go on rain or shine.
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 to save 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 in a truck/trailer. Or you can walk the parade until they get tired and hitch a ride on the “Pooped Pup Truck” or pull them in a wagon!
Do I need to sign up in advance for the costume/parade float contests and Basset games?
- No. Just show up to the Picnic after the Parade and sign up at the contest/games registration table.
Do you have additional questions?
- Email: boardwaddle@tristatebassets.org
- Visit our Facebook page for real-time updates: www.facebook.com/TSBHR