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2011 New England Show
April 29-30, 2011
Middlesex Community College
Bedford, MA

Location | Officials | Results

Location

Middlesex Community College
Bedford, MA

Directions

The college and hotel are both off Exit 27, US Route 3 North. From the ramp, head toward Bedford. The hotel is on the left at the last set of lights on the bridge. To the college, continue through the lights, turn left on Springs Road (following signs), left again at flashing light, and right into the driveway. The show is held in the Cafeteria, Building 8, the Campus Center Building.

Hotels

We have booked a block of rooms at a rate of $89.00 per night at:

Courtyard by Marriott
270 Concord Road
Billerica, MA 01821
Caged animals are allowed in rooms, no pet fee
978-670-7500

The hotel is a short drive from the college. Reservations must be made by April 15 to take advantage of the group rate.

Bedford, MA is the low-priced hotel capital of the Boston area. Other hotel options include the Bedford Plaza Hotel (home of the 2007 show), the Bedford Motel and many other hotel chains in Bedford or neighboring Billerica.

Show Hours:

Friday, 5-9pm
Saturday, 8 am - 6 pm

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Officials

Show Coordinator: Libby Hanna
Animal Health Inspectors:
  Donna Anastasi (NE)
  Rebecca Azer (NE)
  Libby Hanna (NE)
  Amy Paben (NW)
  Volunteer!
Show Secretary: Jo Kelley
Judges:
  Donna Anastasi (NE)
  Libby Hanna (NE)
  Amy Paben (NW)
  Judi Poirier (NE)
Pet Class & Gerbil Olympics Judges (Sat):
  AGS Youth Volunteers

Show Highlights

Unstandardized Class

For the first time, we'll add this official class to the breed show. As written in the AGS standards, unstandardized gerbils are show-quality animals that do not meet any of the standardized color definitions. They may not take Best in Show. With the proliferation of new dilute colors and other interesting variations appearing in the gerbil population, this class will give breeders, members, and judges alike a chance to view and begin comparing new colors. We encourage breeders of non-standard dilute variants (such as dilute agouti (right), dilute slate, dilute lilac, etc.) to enter their gerbils in this class. All other interesting and non-standard variations are welcome also! Coordinator: Libby Hanna

Parade of Gerbils

In the fashion of Denver's famous Cow Parade, we'll have an artistic display of ceramic gerbil art featuring painted figurines created at last year's New England Show. There will be further opportunities to create gerbil art at this show. More details to follow. Coordinator: Madeline Nagy.

Year of the Rabbit

Acknowledging another rodent turn in the Chinese Zodiac, we'll celebrate our long-eared friends with a special exhibit on rabbits and rabbit care, including some tempting adoptables and expert advice provided by members of the House Rabbit Network. Coordinator: Rebecca Azer.

AGS Scrapbook

If you've got old newspaper clippings about AGS shows or members, bring them along to preserve for posterity. Coordinator: Donna Anastasi

Blue Gerbils - History & Breeding

Two and a half years after the import of the original blue gerbils, we'll set up a display on their history and pedigrees, and you can meet some blues and other dilute colors yourself. Coordinator:: Donna Anastasi

Pet Class

In order to better serve the traditionally large public turn-out, we will break the Pet Class into two segments. The morning class (11:30 am-12:30 pm) is targeted toward younger children (ages 8 & under) and uses our traditional "Best Whiskers" format to acknowledge the things that make each gerbil special with a blue ribbon for every gerbil. The afternoon segment (1:30-3:30) will feature a Mock Show for gerbils owned by kids ages 9 & up. Trained AGS Asst. Judges (youth members ages 13 and up who have taken Judges' Training) will award 1st, 2nd and 3rd place Pet Class ribbons to pet gerbils, judging them by color class using the AGS Standards, exactly like the breed show. The Jr. Judges will describe the characteristics of the winning gerbils. This mock show will be an excellent chance for adults new to gerbils shows and older children interested in showing gerbils to learn what makes a winning gerbil in a less-competitive, educational event.

Register for Pet Class.

Photo Contest

Can't come to the show in person? Send in a photo of your gerbil and we'll let the visiting public choose a winner! Send photos to: agsphoto@hhgerbilry.com. Coordinator: Diane Nott.

Silent Auction & Raffle

Beautiful craft items, useful gerbil supplies, adorable novelties and more, to benefit the AGS! In past years we have had wonderful items from books to jewelry to quilts to gerbil supplies. Coordinator: Robin Reiner

Games for the non-Gerbiller

Calling all spouses and kids of gerbil-loving members! There will be a gathering for board games and cameraderie for all those devoted family members who accompany their AGS member wives/SOs/moms or whomever to the show. Games will take place during "off peak" hours, Friday evening and Saturday afternoon. Coordinators: Steve & Web.

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Schedule

Friday, April 29th
5:00-9:00 pm	Set-up Health inspections
Saturday, April 30th
8-10 am	Health inspections
10:30 am	Show Call: All gerbils who will compete in the show should be placed on the judging tables. (Please check the Show Rules & Regulations page ahead of time to make sure that your gerbils have the proper size of show carrier. Also, remember to provide each gerbil in the show with a source of moisture/water, such as a piece of carrot or a grape.)
10:30-11:00	Judges' meeting and lunch.
11 am	Judging starts Floor inspection Open to the Public
11:30 am-12:30 pm	Pet Class I - for kids 8 & under Hamtrack races Tube chew races
1:30-3:30 pm	Pet Class II - Mock Show - for kids 9 & up AGS Youth Asst. Judges will judge pet gerbils using Exhibition Format. Hamtrack races Tube chew races
3:30 pm	Photo contest & People's Choice Award announcements.
4:30 pm	Raffle & Auction results.
5 pm	Public Admissions Close
6-6:30 pm	Show Results Group Photo Dinner in the Show Hall

       

Photos from New England Show 2008

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