Welcome back National Pygmy Goat Association! The CVB hosted the national convention here in 2005, and we brought them back this year again! National Convention in Hagerstown June 13-18; Up to 300 People Expected; National Pygmy Goat Association Includes Prestigious National Champion Challenge Invitational Show Boonsboro, MD – Hosted by the Region 5 Keystone Pygmy Goat Club, the National Pygmy Goat Association (NPGA) is holding its 35th Annual National Convention June 13-18 in Washington County. The annual convention includes board meetings, goat shows, judges’ training and plenty of time for family fun. The NPGA’s mission is to support the pygmy goat in the United States by collecting and disseminating information, protecting the breed standard and recording lineage through their registry. 200-300 of the organization’s 1,131 members from all across the country will attend the weekend’s activities. In addition, the organizers expect 250-300 pygmy goats that will be shown in a variety of classes. Because of the goats’ diminutive size, they can be brought long distances by airplane, which allows owners of the best of the breed to come and compete in the prestigious National Champion Challenge invitational show on Friday night. Betsy De Vore, Director of Sales at the Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau, has been working closely with the group to provide convention services for their stay, including welcome packets with Vacation Value Pass coupons. Attendees will be staying at the Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, Comfort Inn and Suites, and the Sleep Inn and Suites. Exhibitions, clinics and vendors will be housed at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center at 7313 Sharpsburg Pike, Boonsboro MD 21713. “We worked very hard to help attract this convention back to Hagerstown. This is a group we’ve looked forward to having return to our community, because the members are so friendly and the pygmy goats are just so darn cute,” said De Vore. Pygmy goats are ideal dual purpose livestock for small farms and homesteads. Because they are easy to handle and don’t have to be sold, they make excellent projects for 4-H beginners, according to Maggie Leman, KPGC President. Raising pygmy goats is typically a family affair and the annual convention frequently doubles as a family vacation. The convention destination rotates through the eight regions of the NPGA, and this is the third time the group has come to Washington County. “We absolutely love coming here,” said Leman. “The facility and fairgrounds are top notch and there are so many interesting places to visit nearby. I always tell our members that the Rural Heritage Museum right at the fairgrounds and Antietam National Battlefield are not to be missed. And of course, we are so close to Hagerstown Premium Outlets!” The public is invited to the Ag Center to see the goats from Friday at noon through Sunday at 5:00 p.m. with no entrance fee. Food vendors will be on site. For more information and a schedule of events see npga-pygmy. The Hagerstown-Washington County Convention and Visitors Bureau is a 501(c)6 nonprofit organization whose mission is to help attract visitors to Hagerstown and Washington County. The CVB helps to create vibrant growth for the local economy by promoting, developing, and expanding the local visitor industry. For more information about Hagerstown-Washington County, see marylandmemories.
Posted on: Fri, 14 Jun 2013 20:45:40 +0000
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