50th Autumn Oaks Updates
Wayne Cavanaugh

A few of the UKC staff recently went down to Richmond, Indiana to look over the grounds and nail down the plans for the many new events and ideas coming up for the Autumn Oaks. I can assure you that we all came back even more fired up than ever for the big one – the UKC 50th Autumn Oaks! We have already told you about a few changes and additions, but I wanted to remind you of some, tell you about some others, and talk for a minute about our responsibility to the sport.

The first big difference you will notice is that we have a great new layout, with the centerpiece now being the Raper Center building. (See the layout picture below, and details in COONHOUND BLOODLINES.) The entire Kuhlman building will be used for the kitchen area, association meetings, night time bingo, and a place to sit and catch up with friends. As you know, the Wayne County Coonhunters always do an excellent job with the kitchen, and this year you and they both will have even more space to enjoy it.

The biggest change in the new layout is that the hunt headquarters and stage move to the Raper Center. Everything from the opening ceremonies to the 50th Anniversary of the Calling of the Casts will be held there. Two larger, and better laid out, bench show rings with more than twice as much grandstand seating are arranged for better flow and viewing. You will also enjoy a great new set-up for the breed associations and the photo area will also be in the Raper Center for your convenience. The whole layout is far more efficient and attractive than before thanks to great cooperation from the fairgrounds management, a couple of good space planners, and lots of inspired ideas by everyone involved.

We have a few surprises regarding the history of this storied event but we have to keep at least a few things up our sleeves for now. One thing for certain is that you will enjoy every minute of it!

Don’t forget that bench show events will be held on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday this year. Thursday will showcase the special events that I hope you’ve read about in previous articles. We will be reminding you again about these historic features and you get the details on the UKC website right now. We will showcase and celebrate the stud dogs, brood bitches, and even three generation groupings so you have the opportunity to show off your best hounds like never before. On Friday and Saturday, the official bench show competition will feature the best bench show hounds in the world. Then, of course, on Sunday morning the 50th Anniversary Autumn Oaks Nite Hunt winners will be crowned.

As you can see, the focus is on the history and the hounds. With such a big event, however, comes a big responsibility; without a doubt there will be more spectators and more media than ever before. There will be no better time to promote the dedication, care, and integrity of this great sport. We all need to be more mindful than ever to represent the sport well everywhere we go: hotels, restaurants, and especially the fairgrounds.

Those opposed to hunting and hounds would like nothing better than to be able to find instances of bad behavior and poor dog care. Let’s not give them a single reason. Individually and collectively, we need to show our best efforts at all times. While the vast majority of the sport does a great job with dog care, we all need to remind those who don’t of our duty to the sport and the hounds.

There is simply no excuse for letting your dogs soil the grounds without picking it up. There is absolutely no excuse for not providing shade, food and water for dogs at all times. The limited UKC staff tries our best to patrol what we can, but with a dozen of us, a hundred acres of fairgrounds, scores of hotels and plenty of work, we need everyone on board to keep the sport in the positive spotlight it so richly deserves.

Now let’s get ready to head to Richmond and celebrate the history, achievements, and future of the 50th Anniversary of Autumn Oaks!


Layout of Wayne County Fairgrounds for 50th Anniversary Autumn Oaks