APRIL 13TH 2025 @ STAR HILL RANCH — THE THIRD ANNUAL

Largest Golden Retriever Meetup in Texas

* TICKETS ON SALE NOW *

Entry tickets (a small donation to Gold Ribbon Rescue) are required for every attending human to help us plan attendance and ensure we have room for everyone!

GOLDENS UNITE

On April 13th, 2025, we’re gathering all the Golden Retrievers in Texas at Star Hill Ranch for what we expect to be the World’s Largest Golden Retriever Meetup!

In 2024 we shattered our previous year’s record, and with your help, we’re hoping the 2025 meetup will break the world record of 1,310 Goldens. Last year’s event raised $7,000 for Gold Ribbon Rescue, we hope to shatter that number, too!

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

There will be plentiful things to do, explore and enjoy with your Goldens at Star Hill Ranch! See the lineup of festivities below ↓

Experiences marked with a star🌟 request a small donation to Gold Ribbon Rescue.

  • Enter your dog into our Golden Retriever Races!

    🏁 The racecourse is a 50-foot fenced-in run where four dogs will compete in each heat. At the starting line, dogs will be held in place until the race begins, then released to sprint to their owners waiting at the finish line.

    🏆 The winner of each heat advances to the next round. If your dog wins their heat, they'll race again in Round 2 at 2:15 PM. Prizes for the top three winners include goodies from Healthy Pet, YETI, H-E-B, and participating vendors.

    🌟 $7 minimum donation to Gold Ribbon Rescue per dog

    Time: 11:00am-1pm - Round 1,
    2:15pm-3:30pm - Round 2-4

    We’ll email you one week before the event to select your race time.

    Ready, set, GO! 🚀🐕💨

  • Think your pup has what it takes to be the REAL Air Bud of Texas? This competition isn’t just about looks—it’s about skills, style, and star power!

    🐕 Dress the part and put your pup to the test in these challenges:

    • Distraction Challenge: Your dog must stay in a designated area while we attempt to distract them! If they leave, they're out.

    • “Stay” Distance Competition: Tell your pup to stay and walk away. The last dogs holding their position move on!

    • Tennis Ball Catching Showdown: Can your Air Bud snag the ball like a pro?

    🎭 Final Round: Talent Show – It’s time to shine! Show off your dog's best tricks and skills. The ultimate winner will be decided by a crowd cheer-off!

    🏆 Top Air Bud winners will receive prizes from YETI and participating vendors.

    Time: 1:45pm-2:15pm

    🌟 $10 minimum donation to GRR per dog

    Think your pup has what it takes? Let’s see them in action! 🏆🐶🔥

  • Last year, the pups just wanted to play, so this year, we’re making it official! We’re excited to introduce an off-leash dog zone where dogs can run, romp, and make new furry friends.

    📍 All dogs are welcome in the off-leash zone! Plus, Fi Dog GPS Collars will be on-site, showcasing their high-tech GPS collars to keep your pup safe and stylish.

    Time: 11:00am-3:30pm

    Free for all!

    Let the zoomies begin! 🐾🎾

  • A paradise for toy-loving Goldens! 🎾🐕

    This fenced-in play area is packed with dog toys, and your pup gets to enter one at a time to pick their favorite! The best part? No reservations needed—just step in when it’s your turn.

    🎁 Take home as many toys as your Golden can carry in their mouth at once! 😄

    🌟 $7 minimum donation to GRR

    Time: 11am-3pm

    Get ready for some serious tail wags! 🐶✨

  • Be part of history! 📸✨

    Make sure your Golden is officially counted at this year’s event! Tomlinson’s will be running the counter, so stop by, get your pup tallied, and snap the perfect photo op to commemorate the day!

    Free for all!

    Time: 11am-4pm

    Let’s see how many Goldens we can gather! 🐶💛

Golden Meetup Portraits

  • During the event, we’ll have two themed photobooths for your pup:
    🤠 Rustic Western Setting – Capture your dog’s inner cowboy!
    🐕 Golden Retriever-Themed Booth – A setup designed just for Goldens!

    How It Works:

    • One appointment per dog – If you have multiple dogs and want them in the same photo, a person must be in the shot to hold them.

    • You may either be in the photos with your dog or have them photographed alone, but not both.

    • Each session includes a short 1-3 minute photoshoot in one of the booths.

    • You’ll receive 1-10 digital photos via email within a week after the event.

    • Appointments are booked in 20-minute slots – You can have your dog photographed anytime within your time window.

    Pricing:

    💰 $35 in advance | $45 day of event
    Book in advance at the Ticket Checkout.

    Walk-Ins & Availability:
    Some walk-in spots may be available, but reservations are recommended as sessions may sell out.

    📩 Questions? Email us at hello@zilkerbark.com

    Don’t miss out—reserve your pup’s spot today! 🐶✨

  • We’re excited to introduce all of the 2025 Golden Meetup vendors! And this year, there will be a Vendor Scavenger Hunt! If you stop by all of the vendor booths and you’ll receive a gift bag from Tomlinson’s which will include gift certificates, swag and more! Here’s a list of our vendors:

  • 🎁 Stop by the Gold Ribbon Rescue booth to check out our event merch and for a chance to win a bunch of great prizes!

    👕 This will also be where you’ll pick up your pre-ordered shirt.

  • 📸 All hands on deck! Our Official Golden Meetup photo will take place on Main Street at 1:15pm! We’re hoping to set a WORLD RECORD so we need every pup we can get to join in the photo.

TICKETS & PARKING

A small entry fee (donated to Gold Ribbon Rescue) will be required for each human attending this event to help us anticipate attendance, and to ensure we have room for everyone! When purchasing your Entry Fee Ticket, please let us know how many dogs you'll be bringing. The first 2,000 dogs will receive a free 2025 Largest Golden Retriever in Texas event bandana, provided by Healthy Pet!

FREE PARKING

There will be three *dog-friendly* buses running to and from the event from 11am-4pm. The bus location is 2.5 miles from the venue (7min bus ride). Instructions and location for the parking garage, which has space for 600 cars, will be shared as the event gets closer. If the lot is full when you arrive, you'll need to find parking nearby and walk to the shuttle location. Buses are free!

PREMIUM ON-SITE PARKING

Premium On-Site parking is limited to 550 cars. You can reserve your Premium Parking spot by purchasing this option with your Entry Fee. Early-Bird Premium Parking is $20 for the first 250 spots, $30 after. Each person in your car will require an Entry Fee Ticket. I.e. four people in one car will require one Premium Parking ticket and four Entry Fee Tickets. Walking distance from the Premium Parking area ranges from 1-5 minutes.

VIP

If you'd like to experience the 2025 Golden Meetup in style, this package is for you! The VIP package includes a ton of goodies, perks, and creature comforts. Here's a list of what's included:

VIP Parking - Parking Spot Closest to the Event

Free Pup Cups

Swag bag with swag from participating vendors

Official Golden Meetup Tote Bag (see here👀)

Access to VIP Building: Private Bar, Private Indoor Bathrooms, Extra Large Covered Patio & Private Yard

One *FREE* Fi GPS Tracking Dog Collar + 6mo Subscription ($120 Value)

You will be also be entered into Fi’s GPS Step Competition - Exclusive to VIPs! The Fi GPS Collar will be mailed to you before the event. The collar tracks steps, and during the event, Fi will host a competition to see which Golden Retriever reaches the highest step count! Step counting will be tracked live through the Fi app, and on a screen in the VIP section. The dog with the most steps at the end of the competition will receive prizes from participating vendors and a 2-year Fi Collar Subscription—a $339 value!

The VIP experience includes one person and up to two dogs from the same household. You may add persons to your VIP package by purchasing a discounted VIP Add-on option on the ticket page.

Reserve your portrait spot

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ONLINE ADVANCED BOOKINGS ARE AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME! PORTRAIT SPOTS MAY BE PURCHASED ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT PENDING AVAILABILITY.

There will be two photo booths and you may choose which one you'd like your pup photographed in on the day of the event. If you’d like your dog photographed in both, please purchase two spots!

During the event, we’ll have a photo booth set up for dog portraits. If you’d like to have your dog photographed during the event, please reserve a spot. Some walk-in appointments may be available if they do not sell out.

Included in your purchase will be a short “photoshoot” in one of our two photo booths. People are welcome to be in the photos. You’ll receive 1-10 digital files emailed to you within one week after the event. Each dog will need a separate photo spot and we will not be photographing dogs together (unless a person is in the photos with the dog). Appointments are booked in 20min slots and you’re welcome to have your dog photographed anytime within 20min of your appointment. If you have any questions, feel free to email us! hello@zilkerbark.com

Refund Policy: A 100% refund is available within 48hrs of purchase. Due to the time-sensitive nature of our events, we do not offer refunds after 48hrs unless the event is canceled. Appointments are transferable.

Get your Meetup Tee!

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SHIRTS ARE LOCALLY SCREEN-PRINTED ON THE TULTEX 202 VINTAGE WHITE UNISEX JERSEY TEE. 25% OF THE PROCEEDS WILL BE DONATED TO GOLD RIBBON RESCUE!

Back of Golden Meetup Tee
Front of Golden Meetup Tee

* * *
Shirts must be picked up at the event. Limited quantities will be available for purchase at the event, so secure yours now!

2024 Meetup Highlights

We successfully beat our record of 500 Golden Retrievers (past Texas record), with an official count of 744 - and we believe there were more!! In addition to a beautifully golden afternoon at Lustre Pearl South, this meetup featured:

If your business is interested in being a vendor at our next meetup, inquire here!

Sign up for email alerts to find out about our next Meetup!

Interested in hosting a meetup at your business? We’re looking for Austin venues capable of accommodating 1500+ guests outdoors!