A WELL-KEPT “SECRET”
By William R. Downing

Did you know that there is a club in Evansville which has survived two “turns of the century”, weathered many ups, downs, and changes, but is still very much “alive and kicking”? This group is a member of a national organization and has achieved the distinction of being number one among its peers in the United States (and possibly in the world) in what it does.

The September 19, 1998 edition of The Evansville Courier reported that this club was organized “100 Years Ago” in 1898. A hundred years later, the objectives have broadened but still include the original basic mission.

Reorganized in 1994, the club was incorporated as “THE EVANSVILLE KENNEL CLUB, INC.” In recent years, during the month of March, the club has held annual all-breed dog shows as a member of the Kentuckiana Cluster of Dog Shows in conjunction with other clubs in Indiana and Kentucky. The Cluster shows are held at The Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, featuring five consecutive days of events including all-breed and specialty Conformation Judging, Obedience Trials, and Agility Competition. The Kentuckiana Cluster attracts participants and spectators from all over the world. In addition to the dog competition, clinics and educational seminars are offered along with vendor booths featuring a wide variety of dog-related products and services.

The Evansville Kennel Club, Inc. (EKC) is a member club of The American Kennel Club (AKC). AKC registers more than one million dogs each year, many of which participate in sports including dog shows and obedience trials. Each year, there are approximately 15,000 of these events, with two million dogs entered each year, and the numbers continue to grow steadily.

In addition to the Kentuckiana Cluster, EKC participates in three days of shows in Owensboro, Kentucky in conjunction with the Owensboro River City Kennel Club. These shows are held in July at the Executive Rivermont Inn in Owensboro. EKC also sponsors seminars and “fun” matches in the Evansville area.

The impact of these shows and events on a local community is very favorable. On average a local economy will benefit by nearly $300,000 dollars from a dog show. However, the number of entries in Evansville’s show in Louisville is far above the average. A study conducted by the AKC shows that people who come to a town to participate in a dog show spend money locally on car rentals, dog supplies, entertainment, gasoline, lodging and meals. At nearly 1,500 AKC all-breed shows each year, the benefit to American communities is nearly a half billion dollars annually. There are no economic “dog days” in this sport.

The Evansville Kennel Club, Inc.(EKC) is a non profit organization, helping to fund and support veterinary education and research, animal rescue, search and rescue dogs, police “K9” units, Canine Health Foundation and many other animal-related organizations, both locally and nationally.

Dog showing has become one of the most popular sporting activities in the world, as witnessed by the nationally televised presentation of events such as the world famous annual Westminster Dog Show at Madison Square Garden. Based upon the number of dogs entered, The Evansville Kennel Club’s show at the 4-day Kentuckiana Cluster in Louisville is the largest all-breed dog show in the country. This show, which is held annually in March at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center in Louisville, draws nearly
5,000 entries, is attended by thousands of spectators as well as the exhibitors and vendors. It features conformation judging (based upon how well a dog conforms to the standards of its breed), and also obedience and agility trials..

Many of the same dogs that are shown at Westminster and other recent shows on national television are also seen at the Kentuckiana Cluster of dog shows in March.

We, the members of The Evansville Kennel Club, Inc., are quite anxious to let this secret be known to the tri-state area as well as the rest of the country. Perhaps some day our city will have exhibition and hotel facilities adequate enough to host an event as large as the Kentuckiana Cluster right here in Evansville. Our members would be very pleased to discuss our goals, activities, and opportunities with any who are interested. For more information, you may reach us at 812 426-2583 or wdowning@insightbb.com.

William R. Downing, Board Member
The Evansville Kennel Club, Inc.