NYC Griffs Derby Meetup

Sadly the forecast does look like rain. We have a massive outdoor tent and many covered areas. Please dress for the weather and expect to be outdoors and covered for the majority of the time. We do have indoor space but dogs will not be allowed off leash/unsupervised.

The event will be 100% outdoors (rain or shine, we have a tent!). We won’t be formally checking vaccination status at the door as it is not currently a requirement in NYC but do ask if you are feeling unwell to please use your best judgement and do not attend the event. We encourage testing before the event if possible. Masking will be up to personal preference and both choices will be respected. Please be kind and gentle with one another, not all of us are back to hugging just yet but I am so excited to be taking one huge positive step towards gathering again! Should you exhibit symptoms and test positive following the event please let the organizer know for contact tracing purposes.

Sign up for the contest is closed! The voting form is live! For in person participants be sure to introduce your pup to the live stream both in person and virtual entries should post a photo tagging the @NYCGriffs instagram account with the hashtag #NYCGriffsTalkDerbyToMe for voters to easily find your entry. Winners announced at 5:15pm EST Trophies and Prizes will be awarded!

You must have a session booked with the photographer to get dedicated time with Carmen (NYC Pet Pawtographer) and the set piece. Please head to the photo area a few min ahead of your appointment time and enter the line. Each session will run approximately 5 min and we have 2 dogs per time block booked. We will have a stool for the dogs to sit, please bring treats to help motivate and pose your pup. We will not have anyone strictly enforcing the flow of this and due to event timing cannot guarantee all will be photographed in a 1:1 session. This was our way of making sure there are no long lines and a consistent flow of pups to help with time management throughout the event. The photographer is funded through the event and there is no extra charge for this. If you miss a 1:1 session don’t sweat it! We will also have group shots and candids taken of the event as well as a videographer to capture the fun! A gallery will be uploaded from the event within 2 weeks.

via Public Transportation:

Arrive onto Roosevelt Island by subway on the F train, or for a unique view of the city, take the aerial tramway from Manhattan to Roosevelt Island. You can also arrive by the Astoria Line ferry (catch it from East 90th street, Astoria, Long Island City, East 34th Street, Brooklyn Navy Yard, Pier 11 and go to the Rosevelt Island Stop).

Once on Roosevelt Island, there is a free red Shuttle Bus that loops around the island. Catch it at the public transportation hub and take it to the Octagon stop (888 Main Street). The Sanctuary is a 3-minute walk toward the river to our 851 Main Street address. Walk through the small parking lot of the Octagon (you’ll walk by tennis courts and a baseball field on your left, Octagon on your right). Turn right at the stop sign and follow the road down toward the river to reach The Sanctuary around the corner on your left; it’s a dead-end road.

Instead of the Shuttle Bus, you can also walk along the beautiful Westside waterfront promenade park (alongside the Manhattan skyline) until you pass the pier that looks like a boat bow; The Sanctuary will be on the right. The walk is a leisurely 15 minutes.

Driving:

The Sanctuary is tucked away on the northwest waterfront of Roosevelt Island, next to the Octagon residential buildings. Drive onto Roosevelt Island from Long Island City, where there is garage parking right when you come onto the island, or try metered street parking along Main St. as you near the Sanctuary address (851 Main Street). There is no parking directly at The Sanctuary; you will be towed.

Uber/taxi drop-off is easiest at the Octagon by the red shuttle bus stop. Then it’s a 3-minute walk through the small parking lot of the Octagon (you’ll walk by tennis courts and a baseball field on your left, Octagon on your right). Turn right at the stop sign and follow the road down toward the river to reach The Sanctuary around the corner on your left; it’s a dead-end road.

Parking:

Roosevelt Island Parking Garage information can be found here: https://rioc.ny.gov/299/Driving

Yes! Please e-mail Andrea a pic of your pup all dressed up in their Derby gear, she will gladly include your pup with the Derby theme illustration. Her standard commission fee will apply. hello@andreacaceres.com

We have a few out of town pups staying at The Hilton Garden Inn and The Evelyn. There is a hotel on Rosevelt Island that is dog friendly as well called Graduate Rosevelt Island.

Derby merch from Grumpy Dog club is closed. If you pre-purchased and sent the merch to the event we will have it at sign in for pick up. We will have other vendors making some amazing custom themed items for purchase as well as a few extra stickers, pins and give aways at sign in.

VIP is all full (woo hoo!) and was an incentive for our first 30 contributions at the $100 level and above. In addition to the event, VIP will include 4 drink tickets (beer, wine and mint juleps), extra swag bag, and a hand drawn portrait of your pup by Andrea Caceres. Don’t come starving but we will also have finger foods, snacks and cake! All proceeds raised for the event will go into the event. We’ve drempt big and hope you see the value, from the massive private space, to the props, and professional photographer & videographer. This was all possible because of YOU! Thank you and thank you to our sponsors, many of which are donating or discounting their services to make this all possible.

Aside from sign up times for the photographer, illustrator, SWAG bag and open bar (beer, wine, mint julep), the experiences will be 100% the same! We will be looking at our budget closer to the event, but are hoping to provide 2 drink tickets for general admission and a cash bar for additional drinks. We will have snacks for the humans, treats for the pups, costume contests and prizes, and lots of amazing prop and photo moments spread throughout the event for all to enjoy. Best of all 50 plus Griffons all in one spot to hang out with!

We have grown to be such a big group it has been harder and harder to guarantee we will have capacity at the parks. The parks department has cracked down on any extra decor, refreshments or set up. We absolutely see dog park events again in our future, we wanted this event to be above and beyond our typical meetup and do not anticipate Gofundme for standard meetups. This event space is private and has a ton of outdoor space for us.

In short, no/please use your judgment. We do have some capacity limitations and want to be sure we have enough room. A good general rule of thumb is no more than 2 humans per Griffon.

We expect a few exceptions and will welcome all but encourage contributions from all in your party to help offset our variable costs for refreshments. The spirit and intention of the event is targeted and focused on the celebration of the Griffon community.

We could not have asked for a better event space partner who understood and supported our vision. Cleaning up after our animals and general respect for the space, landscaping, volunteers, and staff will be mandatory for all. Let’s all work together to ensure a safe and fun event. We are so incredibly proud of this amazing community and cannot wait to see our friends old and new at this amazing meetup!