Showsight - August 2021

INDOORS VS. OUTDOORS Does the Venue Make a Difference?

BY WALTER J. SOMMERFELT

F or most exhibitors, the judging panel plays a great deal in determining which upcoming shows to enter. But what are some of the other issues that play in that decision-making? When deciding on entering a show, do the venue and location factor into your choice? Venues play a significant role for fans of sports, theatre, concerts, and a variety of things of human interest. One can look back thousands of years to the great coliseum in Rome where gladiators and other events were put on to entertain the citizens of the times. Just recently, the lower levels of the historic structure were made available, allowing visitors to see some of the conditions as well the amaz- ing technology that went into the magnificent structure. Athletes of the most popular sports have certain stadiums and arenas where they love to perform; sports fans have their favorites too for watching a game. For dog lovers, Madison Square Garden in New York is not only home to the world- famous Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, but it has also been the location

for a multitude of other major events such as NBA and NCAA basketball, numerous championships in boxing and other sports, concerts, the circus, and I have no idea on the total number of different events held at the historic arena. The lower inside hallways have numerous photos hanging, depicting many of the great historic events held there through the years. I imagine that for most Boston fans, historic Fenway Park and the Old Boston Garden hold a special place in their memories for games they may have had the opportunity to attend in their youth or on their journey through life. For a Chicago Cubs fan, it is Wrigley Field. A Cincinnati Reds fan may miss Old Crosley Field. A New Yorker loves Yankee Stadium. The Rose and Cotton Bowl stadiums are rich with history, as is the great Horseshoe Stadium in Columbus, Ohio, home of the Ohio State Buckeyes. For some, it may be those newer structures; Camden Yards in Baltimore, AT&T stadium (Jerry’s World) in Dallas, Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, and of course, the Old (8th Wonder of the World) and the New Houston Astrodome. For moviegoers, and fans of the opera and Broadway plays, all have special places where they enjoy going to experience the joy that is enhanced by watching or participating at their favorite venue. So how do we as dog show exhibitors, judges, and enthusiasts feel about the various venues we share in our country? Throughout our history as a sport, numerous changes have always been a part of the equation. When I started in the sport, all shows were one-day events that—with very few exceptions—meant you would pack up and move to the show being held the next day at a different location and venue. Amazingly, almost all shows in those days had entries of 1,000 to 1,500 dogs, and rarely did shows go past 4:00 or 5:00 in the afternoon. (Makes you wonder why it now seems that 6:00 to 8:00 in the evening is the norm, despite lower entries.) In those days, the majority of shows that were held from spring until late fall took place outdoors at fairgrounds under tents or in various livestock buildings. One of my favorite weekends was the old Ravenna and Chagrin (Western Reserve KC) weekend in Ohio, with huge entries, spacious rings, and the wonderful Sunday show at the Polo Field. In the winter, Western Reserve played host to the Christmas Classic shows, held for years at the downtown convention center, and later, at the Huge IX Center near the airport.

116 | SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, AUGUST 2021

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