The 2026 West Coast GoldenFest was truly a paw-fect day! With sunshine overhead and a field full of wagging tails, golden lovers gathered to celebrate these amazing dogs and support the work of Golden Retriever Rescue of Mid-Florida (GRRMF).
From the moment the first golden arrived until the final medal was awarded, the event was filled with laughter, cheers, and an unforgettable sea of gold. Over 30 GRRMF families and 25 dogs enjoyed this special day! `Three lucky raffle winners were thrilled to win exciting prize packages to SeaWorld, Aquatica, and the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, while three sharp-eyed Bingo champions celebrated their wins by heading home with special GRRMF goodie bags to enjoy! 🎟️🐾🎉
We are incredibly grateful to our dedicated volunteers, including our hardworking students from Jacobson Technical High School and GRRMF volunteers Charlie H., Renee S., and Cindy K. Their help made the entire event possible.
Check out our wonderful photo album of the event!
Our DogOlympics brought out the playful competitive spirit in both dogs and their humans! What an incredible day of wagging tails, cheering crowds, and friendly competition! Below are the DogOlympics medalists from our GoldenFest games. Congratulations to all of our amazing golden athletes! 🏅🐕
Super special recognition to our oldest participant, Kenzie, who will celebrate her 13th year young birthday on April 3rd! She took home the gold in Popcorn Toss and I’m a Retriever!
| Event | Age Category | 🥇 Gold | 🥈 Silver | 🥉 Bronze |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| I’m a Retriever | Ages 1–4 | BB | Yeti | Cici |
| Ages 5–10 | BT | Honey | Lala | |
| Golf Ball Relay | Ages 1–4 | BB | Moose | Yeti |
| Ages 5–10 | Madison & Lala | Sugar & Honey | Bear & BT | |
| Popcorn Toss | Ages 1–4 | BB | Yeti | |
| Ages 5–10 | Bear | BT | Honey | |
| Sit / Stay | Ages 1–4 | Skylar | Yeti | Cici |
| Ages 5–10 | Madison | BT | Honey | |
| Bobbing for Biscuits | Ages 1–4 | BB | Moose | Stan |
| Ages 5–10 | BT | Honey | Bear |
Golden Retrievers proved once again that they are champions at fun, treats, and making everyone smile! 🐾💛
GoldenFest is more than just a fun day in the park — it helps support rescue, medical care, and new beginnings for Golden Retrievers in need.
We are grateful to everyone who attended, volunteered, donated, competed, and cheered on the pups.
We can’t wait to see everyone again next year for another GoldenFest celebration!
