GOLDENFEST XV - A Golden Day of Fun for Southwest Florida

GoldenFest is the biggest and best dog-focused and dog-friendly event in Southwest Florida, and it’s coming back for its 15th year! It’s happening at the Lee Health Sports Complex - Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers on Saturday, December 6, 2025, 10am - 3pm. Admission and parking are free!

GoldenFest is a fundraising event that helps Golden Retriever Rescue of Southwest Florida take care of Golden Retrievers and Golden mixes in need. But it’s not just about the rescue; it’s also a day of fun and celebration of our furry friends and their owners.

You’ll see amazing canine demonstrations, meet our Law Enforcement first-responders and K-9s, enjoy live music, sample delicious food and drinks, and shop with over 100 vendors. There’ll be dock diving (thanks to Ultimate Air Dogs), photos with Santa, face painting, caricature artistry, wading pools for the pups, pony rides, a petting zoo, a Golden petting corral, bounce houses and a kid's fun area. There’ll be a huge raffle, first responder exhibits (thanks to the Lee County Sheriff’s Office, South Trail Fire District, and Lee County Emergency Medical Services), special appearances by Lisa Spooner and Christy Soto, anchors at Gulf Coast News, and the incredible Calendar Girls. It’s going to be a day like no other in Southwest Florida!

While GoldenFest directly benefits GRRSWF, the event is open to other rescue organizations, area shelters, humane societies and other non-profits at no cost. Attendees are encouraged to bring their well-behaved, leashed dogs and enjoy a fun-filled, golden day.

GoldenFest is an annual event that promises to be unforgettable. You don't want to miss it.

Directions to lee health Sports complex Hammond stadium

HEADING NORTH - VIA I-75

Follow I-75 N toward Tampa

Take Exit 131 toward Cape Coral

Turn left onto Daniels Pkwy

Turn left onto 6 Mile Cypress Pkwy

Destination will be on the right



HEADING NORTH - VIA SURFACE STREETS

Take US-41 N/Tamiami Trail N

Turn right onto Michael G. Rippe Pkwy

Turn right onto 6 Mile Cypress Pkwy

Destination will be on the left - 1.2 miles

HEADING SOUTH - VIA I-75

I-75 S toward Naples

Take Exit 131 toward Cape Coral

Turn right onto Daniels Pkwy

Turn left onto 6 Mile Cypress Pkwy

Destination will be on the right



HEADING SOUTH - VIA SURFACE STREETS

In Ft Myers - Metro Pkwy or US 41 South

Turn left onto Daniels Pkwy

Turn right onto 6 Mile Cypress Pkwy

Destination will be on the right

Interested in being a Vendor or Sponsor at GoldenFest?

We are now accepting applications for both.

VENDOR INFORMATION.

This is a dog-focused event and vendors with those types of products and services are sought, however all categories of products, crafts and services are welcome for GoldenFest. The vendor fee is $65. Additionally, we accept non-profit, 501c3, vendors at no charge, but registration is still required.

You are encouraged to provide an umbrella, pop up tent, canopy, or other covering as long as it does not exceed your 10’x10’ booth space. Tables, table coverings, chairs, tents, electricity, water, etc. are not included or available. A limited number of vendor booth spaces are available. Vendors can set up between 7-9:30am on the event day and are asked to remain in place until 3pm.

NOTE: Due to limitations placed on us by the venue, we cannot accept entree-type food vendors, only desserts, snacks, sweets, treats and drinks, and those will be in limited numbers. We apologize beforehand if we are unable to accept all who apply.

SPONSOR INFORMATION.

There are four tiers of event sponsorship.

Golden Best of Show
Golden VIP
Heart of a Golden
Friend of Goldens

You will be able to select your preferred level of sponsorship in the downloadable registration form (pdf) or in online registration.

Download the sponsor or vendor pdf below. Print it. Fill it out. Mail it with your donation as directed. If you prefer, you can submit your application here online. Just click the button below.

GF15 Vendor Application (pdf)

Download

GF15 Sponsor Packet (pdf)

Download

GOLDENFEST XV - A Golden Day of Fun for Southwest Florida

GoldenFest XV

A Look at PREVIOUS GOLDENFESTs

GoldenFest XV Event Brochure

Directions to lee health Sports complex Hammond stadium

We Are So Grateful To Our Sponsors

Best in Show Sponsors

Anonymous Local Family Foundation

The Leslie L. Alexander Foundation

Jack & Liz Donehower

Golden VIP Sponsors

David Lucas

Margaret Manda

Heart of a Golden Sponsors

Tim Aumann & Edward Jones

John & Stacy Berteau

Jeff Cull & Ella Naylor

Susan Mathews

John Rushing & Chris Curshellas

Roxanne & Cliff Smith

Friends of Goldens Sponsors

In-Kind Sponsors

Demonstrations & Activities Partners

Want to volunteer to help us at GoldenFest?

Interested in being a Vendor or Sponsor at GoldenFest?

SUBMIT A SPONSOR APPLICATION HERE - Registration is open

SUBMIT A VENDOR APPLICATION HERE - Registration is open

SUBMIt Sponsor donation or vendor fee HERE

GOLDENFEST XV - A Golden Day of Fun for Southwest Florida

GoldenFest XV

A Look at PREVIOUS GOLDENFESTs

GoldenFest XV Event Brochure

Directions to lee health Sports complex Hammond stadium

We Are So Grateful To Our Sponsors

Best in Show Sponsors

Anonymous Local Family Foundation

The Leslie L. Alexander Foundation

Jack & Liz Donehower

Golden VIP Sponsors

David Lucas

Margaret Manda

Heart of a Golden Sponsors

Tim Aumann & Edward Jones

John & Stacy Berteau

Jeff Cull & Ella Naylor

Susan Mathews

John Rushing & Chris Curshellas

Roxanne & Cliff Smith

Friends of Goldens Sponsors

In-Kind Sponsors

Demonstrations & Activities Partners

Want to volunteer to help us at GoldenFest?

Interested in being a Vendor or Sponsor at GoldenFest?

SUBMIT A SPONSOR APPLICATION HERE - Registration is open

SUBMIT A VENDOR APPLICATION HERE - Registration is open

SUBMIt Sponsor donation or vendor fee HERE

This website uses cookies.