Gold Rush 2024 is Sunday, September 22nd!
Thank you for attending Gold Rush! We think we might have had record attendance this year! We’ll be posting photos soon. Many thanks to the local businesses and GRRIN volunteers – we couldn’t hold this event without you!
GRRIN invites you to an afternoon of fun and activities for everyone in your family, pups included! We’ll be hosting our annual Golden Retriever celebration at Sumtur Amphitheater. This year we will have a food truck and seated picnic area where you can relax after playing games and visiting local vendors.
Gold Rush will be held from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 22 at Sumtur Amphitheater just south of Hwy 370 on 108th Street in Papillion.
- FREE ADMISSION
- Streetside Foods food truck and bigger picnic area!
- All leashed, well-behaved dogs welcome!
- Local businesses (see list below)
- GRRIN Booths and games for dogs and humans (see list below)
- Shop at the GRRIN store – the 2025 GRRIN calendar will be available!!
- Event will be held rain or shine
- Donations to GRRIN gratefully accepted
GRRIN Booths & Activities
GRRIN Store – Take this opportunity to purchase GRRIN logo merchandise – sweatshirt anyone? 2025 GRRIN calendars are available! You can also bid on Southwest Airlines tickets at the store’s silent auction until 2:45pm. Proceeds from the store and auction support rescue dogs.
GRRIN Information Booth – Learn more about the many rescue activities and volunteer opportunities at GRRIN. Be sure to enter the Biscuit Count – winner to be announced at 2:30pm.
GRRIN Alumni Booth – NEW! Bring your adopted GRRIN dog by the decorated alumni booth, share a story about your dog, and receive a special gift! Take a picture and share it to goldrush@grrin.org.
Pawblo Picasso – Your pup can paint a no-mess masterpiece in minutes! Take home a memory of Gold Rush with your pup’s pawprints. This is a NEW fan favorite from last year.
Wet Shirt Game – 2 people/dogs race against each other. There is a bucket full of water with a wet t-shirt in it. Participants have to race to the bucket, put the t-shirt over their dog’s head and front legs into the arm holes and race back to the starting line.
Shell Game – A treat is placed under one of 3 flower pots. The pots shift positions. Can your dog follow the action with his or her sense of smell? Success means the dog gets the treat.
Spin and Win – You don’t need skill or even a dog for this game. Spin the wheel to find out which prize you win.
Plinko – Drop the disk and watch it travel into one of the prize slots.
Golden Goodies Walk (formerly the cake walk) – An old favorite. This version includes our dogs. Winners claim their human and /or canine goodies at the table next to the concession stand.
Biscuit Count – Located at the GRRIN Info Booth. Biscuits provided by Woof & Whiskers! Guess the number of biscuits in the jar. The winner will be the guess that is closest to the actual number of dog biscuits. Yes, we did count them. Winner will be announced at 2:30 p.m.
Photo/Kissing Booth – This “frame” is just waiting for your dog to have a photograph taken. You can also join your dog in the picture. Take your own photos and send to goldrush@grrin.org – we’ll post them on our facebook page after Gold Rush!
Golden Bean Bag Toss – Toss a bean bag through one of the holes in the cut-out board and win a prize for your dog.
Bobbing for Tennis Balls – Will your dog grab a tennis ball from a tub of water? If so, they get to keep the ball!
Picnic with your pup! – grab a snack or beverage and hang out at the picnic area to enjoy the day
Local Businesses – Make sure to visit everyone and show your support!
Kirk’s Works – Artist Kirk Kuenzi joins us again this year! Have a caricature made of your dog for a suggested donation of $10 per dog. Dog caricatures only, please. Kirk’s Works is donating all of the proceeds to GRRIN!
Nature Dog – Independently owned Pet Wellness Center since 1998 – “committed to natural pet food and supplies”
Bumblebee Collars and More – “Handmade collars and leashes for your pets to help spice up their lives”
Splash and Dash Groomerie & Boutique – Providing an array of clean and safe services in Omaha’s Lakeside area, “You’re invited to experience our Safety First grooming services”
Sirius Veterinary Orthopedic Center – “Nebraska’s finest in orthopedic vet care”
Ralston Vet – An employee-owned vet clinic where your pets are treated like family!
Prairie Lane Veterinary Hospital – “Our mission since 1967: A happy, healthy pet. A well-informed owner”
Nebraska Pet Hospice – “A specialty veterinary service offering in-home veterinary hospice, palliative, and end-of-life care”
Fort Street Veterinarian – “Here for you, during all stages of your pet’s life!” providing comprehensive wellness care and diagnostic and surgical services
VCA MidWest Veterinary Referral and Emergency Center – “Setting the standard for world-class medicine and hometown care.”
Dog Gone Problems – “Using a 100% positive reinforcement, force free approach to canine behavior” – Featuring David Codr, Founder and behavioral consultant with a demonstration at 1:00 on the stage!
Streetside Foods Food Truck – “American classics with an Italian twist” – grab lunch or a snack and hang out at the picnic area
SumTur Concession Stand – water, soda, beer and wine available at Papillion’s premier outdoor performance venue
Special Thanks to emcees Curt Bright of the Stringbeans and Kathy Glenn, roving photographer Patty Duarte, and anonymous GRRIN volunteers who donated many of the game prizes!
Check our Facebook page for the most up-to-date information: facebook.com/grrin
SumTur Amphitheater, 11691 South 108th Street, Papillion, NE 68046
Want to volunteer? Send a note to goldrush@grrin.org.
