The 2003 US Disc Dog Freedom Weekend Nationals™ is a major attraction of Pontiac Freedom Weekend Aloft. Freedom Weekend Aloft is a national patriotic family oriented event featuring 100 of the country's premier hot-air racing balloon teams. The event has grown to host over 200,000 visitors from around the US. The festival promotes family fun, hot-air balloons, arts, music, and FRISBEE® DOGS! FWA is held at the new $15 million Anderson Sports and Entertainment Complex in Anderson, SC which is just 2 hours from Atlanta, GA or Charlotte, NC. With over 100 hot-air balloons, a fantastic concert line-up, the Disc Dog Freedom Weekend Nationals, and more, we truly consider that this event has "something for everyone". Every member of the family will be able to find something fun and exciting to do and see.
On behalf of the 1000+ FWA volunteers, the FWA event organizers, the event sponsors, and the 200,000+ spectators we want to encourage you to get your DOG, get your Frisbee DISC, and come join the FUN! As we said, we believe that this event has something for every member of the family. Additionally this event will be affordable. New this year is that the festival is FREE to the public (no more wristbands). Rides and concerts or shows will require the purchase of tickets.
Parking for competing teams is free with an official disc dog parking pass. Teams will be able to park in a special parking area that is very close to to the contest area. Remember that canines are NOT allowed to roam the general festival area with their handlers; canines MUST stay in the competition area. The 2003 Disc Dog Freedom Weekend Nationals is a two-day contest. Teams with freestyle routines will compete on Saturday and teams only into Toss & Fetch will compete on Sunday. Each day will feature a separate unique competition lasting 4 to 5 hours and tailored to specific experience levels. Open and Super-Open teams that compete on Saturday are welcome and encouraged to return on Sunday to compete in the Pro-Toss & Fetch competition. The judging for the Freestyle rounds will be led by former world champion Melissa Heeter along with the extremely experienced and super talented handlers John Casey and Joëlle Budd.
Come join us at the 2003 US Disc Dog Freedom Weekend Nationals™ and explore, celebrate, and marvel at the special relationship between people and the disc dogs who share their lives.
Prizes
Super-Open Division Prizes
CHAMPION -- $500 trip voucher to the US Disc Dog National Finals Weekend1st Runner-Up -- $500 trip voucher to the US Disc Dog National Finals Weekend
2nd Runner-Up -- $500 trip voucher to the US Disc Dog National Finals Weekend
Open Division Prizes
1st throught 5th -- Official Freedom Weekend Nationals T-shirtPro-Toss & Fetch Division Cash Prizes
CHAMPION -- $1001st Runner-Up -- $100
2nd Runner-Up -- $100
3rd Runner-Up -- $100
5th place -- $100
Novice Division Prizes
1st throught 5th -- Official Freedom Weekend Nationals T-shirtJunior Division Prizes
1st throught 5th -- Official Freedom Weekend Nationals T-shirtSuper-Open teams are competing for 5 qualifying spots to the US Disc Dog National Finals. Super-Open teams receive 1 official Freedom Weekend Nationals T-shirt. All entering teams receive 2 official Freedom Weekend Nationals Fastback Frisbee® discs.
Schedule
Open and Super-Open teams (Freestyle and Toss & Fetch) will compete on:
Saturday, May 24, 2003
11AM - Registration Begins11:45AM - Players Meeting
Noon - Competition Begins
Order of Competition
Super-Open — Freestyle Round 1Open — Toss & Fetch
Super-Open — Toss & Fetch
Open — Freestyle
Super-Open — Freestyle Round 2
Junior, Novice, and Pro Toss & Fetch will compete on:
Sunday, May 25, 2003
11AM - Registration Begins11:45AM - Players Meeting
Noon - Competition Begins
Order of Competition
Jr. Handler — Toss & Fetch Elimination RoundNovice — Toss & Fetch Elimination Round
Pro — Toss & Fetch Elimination Round
Jr. Handler — Toss & Fetch Final Round
Novice — Toss & Fetch Final Round
Pro — Toss & Fetch Final Round
Photos courtesy of
Ken Ruinard Anderson
Independent-Mail
The top 10 (ten) teams from each division will compete in one 90 second final round of Toss & Fetch.
Note: Open and Super-Open teams may return on Sunday and compete in the Pro Toss & Fetch competition. Also on Sunday, (time permitting) select Super-Open teams will be given an opportunity to showcase their freestyle routines; however, freestyle is not part of Sunday's competition.
Entry Fees
Novice and Pro Toss & Fetch $5; Open and Super-Open $10; All GADDC Members $5 discount.
Argus Cup Event
The 2003 US Disc Dog Freedom Weekend Nationals™ is eligible for Argus Cup points and consideration towards all GADDC Season Awards.
Directions
Special Parking for Frisbee Dog Teams at Freedom Weekend Nationals
Teams attending the Freedom Weekend Nationals on May 24th and May 25th have special parking very close to the event site. Please follow these directions carefully.
- I-85 to Exit 19A or 21
- Right on Hwy 28 By-Pass
- Left on McGee Rd (Nations Rent on corner)
- Left on Whitehall Rd
- Left on Mall Rd
- Left on County Home Rd
- Right into Lot H “VIP Parking”
Arrive early to avoid problems. Registration starts at 11:00am.
Security is TIGHT! You must have a pass to get into this lot. If you don’t have the correct pass, you must have some very good evidence (a Frisbee dog and a big bag of Frisbees, etc) of being a competitor in the contest.
Note: The right onto Hwy 28 By-Pass is about half way between LaQuinta and I-85. So if you are staying at a hotel (LaQuinta, Ramada) that is east of the right onto Hwy 28 By-Pass you will have to go back and take a left onto Hwy 28 By-Pass. Also, Lot H is VIP Parking. Since the festival opens at noon and registration for the contest starts at 11:00am Frisbee Dog teams will be the first folks to arrive in this lot. You will be turning right into the top of a big grass rectangular lot. You want park down on the middle of the left side of the rectangle. The contest is right across the street and we will be running the golf cart shuttle to get people and stuff back and forth.
Any questions, please call Melissa 770-386-6184 home. If you need further info or help on Saturday May 24th or Sunday May 25th call us on Melissa’s cell phone at 770-316-5165.
There is a general area map on the festival Web site. However, it does not show all the streets listed in the directions above. The contest is just South of the Civic Center shown as a red asterisk on the map.Hotel Information
The USDDN has a block of rooms at the Jameson Inn in Anderson, SC. Several competitors stayed there the last couple of years and had a great stay. It has a home stay atmosphere with a dog friendly staff.
There is a block of 25 rooms under the name "Freedom Wkend Nationals". There is no pet fee and they have two floors that open to the courtyard area. I Guaranteed room rate is $49.00 with no pet fee with the hotel. They offer King premium, King, and Double rooms smoking and non-smoking. They also offer a free warm breakfast with the room from cereal to Waffles.
Jameson Inn128 Interstate Blvd
Anderson SC 29621
864-375-9800
http://www.jamesoninn.com/
Please make your reservation by May 19, 2003 for this room rate. Because this is one of the largest balloon races in the US the hotel rooms are booking fast. It is also best for all of the competitors to stay at the same hotel because some of the other hotels, that are not lucky enough to work with the festival and get their contracts, tend to have price fluctuations. Again, I have a guarantee of $49.00 if the rooms are made by 5/19/03. That does not mean that they would not take your reservation after the 19th, just that you would not receive the $49.00 rate. I have checked several other hotels and there are few rooms left.
The only other hotels that have rooms are the Holiday INN Express (864-231-0231 block under "Dog Show" $59.00, no pet fee - 2 exits north on Hwy 85 and Hwy 81) on Hwy 81 about six miles from the other hotels and the Super 8 Hotel (864-225-8384) in Anderson on Main Street, next to the LaQuinta. You could also check the Ramada on Main Street, Ramada Inn Anderson (864-226-6051), but they only have 10 rooms left.
If anyone has problems with their hotels, especially the Jameson Inn or the Holiday Inn Express which the blocks are, please contact Melissa Heeter.
Other information on hotel/motels in Anderson, SC is available at the following link - http://www.hotelratesaver.com/lookup.cfm/Anderson/SC/US
More Information
For further information about GADDC presented events contact: GADDC Event Coordinator, Melissa Heeter 770-386-6184
The only disc allowed in competition is the Fastback Frisbee® disc; however, disc color is at the discretion of the handler.
Tenting -- A tenting area designated for competitors and their dogs will be provided. Space in the tenting area will be on a first come-first served basis. Competitors also are welcome to setup EZ-Up style tents only. Tents and structures that are supported by ropes and other wires/strings cannot be erected. Water will be available on-site.
Release of Rights and Television Disclaimers -- Portions of this event may be taped for television. All competitors through entry at this event waive any rights relative to video broadcast of this event. Competitors shall have the right to videotape portions of this event for their personal use only. No portion of this event may be videotaped for commercial or other purposes. All video, broadcast, and telecast rights for this event are the exclusive property of WOOF! Sports USA and The Greater Atlanta Dog & Disc Club.
Through entry at this event, all competitors hereby grant to the Greater Atlanta Dog and Disc Club, WOOF! Sports USA, and their representatives, agents and assigns, all rights and permission to use or appropriate his/her and their dog's biography, likeness, photograph, voice, performing persona, or other indica of identity for broadcast, telecast, cablecast, transmission or distribution in any format or media now known or hereafter to become known. All exhibitors and handlers hereby release WOOF! Sports USA, The Greater Atlanta Dog & Disc Club, and their representatives, agents and assigns from any claim or cause of action for invasion of the rights of privacy, right of publicity, right of personality, or any similar right.
Fastback Frisbee® discs will be available on site.
Club Members = $2
Non-Members = $3