WHAT:  We are making an Official Attempt at a Guinness Book World Record for: “Most Dogs to Attend a Film Screening,” with a FREE screening of the new Netflix Documentary, Inside the Mind of a Dog. We get 220 or more dogs, and the town of Middlebury Vermont will officially break the record.

WHERE:  The Memorial Sports Center, 296 Buttolph Dr, Middlebury VT, is graciously hosting this event. This is the town hockey rink — by the pool, tennis courts and town offices. Parking can be found by the town pool, in the town office lot, or at the Mary Hogan lot. Please allow you and your dogs time to arrive, and relieve themselves before the event.

WHEN:  Saturday, August, 10th, 2024 / On-site registration begins at 3:00. Film begins at 4:00. Dogs that arrive after the movie begins will not be counted in the record total. Dogs only have to “watch” for 15 minutes. So dogs who wish to leave after the record milestone can leave no problem. We will have an orderly process for entry and exit, and complete instructions will be provided on site the day of the event.

WHO:  Middlebury Underground, in partnership with the Better Middlebury Partnership, Homeward Bound, Red Rock Films, the Memorial Sports Center, Lacewing Productions, and the Bristol Animal Hospital. Free dog treats provided by Kelly’s K9 Cookies. It’s a huge team effort!

Please consider donating to Homeward Bound, Middlebury, VT's amazing animal shelter.

 

 

 

RULES SPECIFIC TO EVENT:

 

• Dogs must be leashed at all times. Crates are not allowed.

• Free registration must be completed at the beginning of the event.

• Dogs must have current licenses and vaccines. PROOF OF RABIES VACCINE REQUIRED. We know this is a pain, but it is a requirement. Any proof can be provided. Rabies tag, certificate, email from your vet, photo of the certificate, anything.

• Dogs must be accompanied by a handler at least 16 years old. One dog per handler. Anyone not participating in the event (i.e. anyone without a dog) is welcome to watch the film from behind the official record area.

• Participants and their dogs need to be in place for 15 minutes during the movie screening. (Dogs cannot be physically restrained and forced to remain in the viewing area. Treats can be used, and leashes are mandatory, so we can incentivize our dogs to stay in the viewing area, but they can’t be held beyond the leash.)

• Dogs must have natural appearances (no dyed hair, clothes or accessories). Don't know why, but it's a Guinness Rule.

• Dogs must be at least 1 year old to be included in the count.

• Dog owners are responsible for the behavior of their dogs at all times.

• Dogs with aggressive history are not permitted to attend.

• Dog waste must be cleaned up by the owners (but we will have supplies, and people to help.)

• Veterinarians from the Bristol Animal Hospital will be on site monitoring the health of all dogs at the event.

• Please NO CATS.

OTHER DO’S AND DON’TS:

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• Feel free to bring a blanket, pillow, yoga matt, or small folding lawn chair to sit on with your dog. Please keep in mind you and your dog will each have a limited amount of space so please don’t bring too much. It is a concrete floor, so plan accordingly.

• Guinness only allows one person (16+) per dog, so for those that want to watch the movie but don’t have a dog, there will be space provided to sit behind the Guinness Recording Area.

• Please keep in mind - this is the surface where the Memorial Sports Center will be frozen for the winter hockey season. So please don’t bring any oily foods or drinks and if your dog has an accident please clean it up promptly. Cleaning supplies and additional helpers will be provided. The Friends of Middlebury Hockey have been gracious enough to share their space with us. Lets treat it with the utmost respect.

• Please NO retractable leashes.

• Again, we’re sorry to ask, but bring proof of the rabies vaccine (this could be your dog’s tags, picture of certificate, email from a vet, just any proof that your dog has an up-to-date shot.) Our Vets want to avoid the rabies apocalypse.

• Water will also be provided (for humans and dogs), but please if you have a small bowl for your dogs bring it.

• Free popcorn and dog treats will be provided. Feel free to bring your own dog treats. Please keep other outside food to a minimum.

• Please KNOW YOUR OWN DOG. Think about how your dog will handle the event. There will be ALOT of dogs here in one place. We will stagger entrances based on the dog's personality and comfort level so plan your arrival time accordingly. If your dog doesn’t get along well with other dogs, please keep that in mind.

• After the 15 min Guinness Record Breaking period we will begin a staggered exit process for those that need to leave. We do not expect dogs to remain for the entirety of the event.

• PARKING is available at the town pool parking lot, the town offices lot, and the Mary Hogan lot. Additional parking is available at Shaws, just a short walk from the Memorial Sports Complex.