I like tall ships and first went there to sail on the Flagship Niagara, and liked the city and the beaches and have been back. I couldn't live there, though, couldn't take the snow. If I want beaches, it's certainly easier for me to go to NJ or the Poconos.

I never hear anyone talk about Stanley Tucci in The Lovely Bones, but I thought he did a very good, subtle, not overblown Philly accent (the movie takes place in Chester County).

I should probably amend that as some of the handlers have been perfectly friendly but still will firmly say not to touch their dog, especially if it's groomed for the ring. And some of the breeders are super friendly and want to tell you all about their breed and let you pet the dogs, and some will stand there and keep their dogs in their crates and ignore your existence, or their bench is just deserted (there was a lot of that the last time I went, which is why I haven't been back tbh). But in general the breeder/exhibitor areas will have more dogs out to pet and see than the pro handlers.

I used to go every year. I had a friend who lived in the area and she would show her dogs every year, but she moved away and it wasn't as much fun for me. I haven't been since a couple years before the pandemic.

I enjoy the breed judging so I would go very early, like 8 am. The schedule is online if there is a particular breed you like. Also it's a lot easier to find parking near the venue if you go early. The breed judging is extremely unglamorous, they set up temp fencing in the big exhibition room and the different breeds set up wherever and are judged. Keep in mind they judge isn't looking for the prettiest or cutest dog, it's the dog that adheres most closely to the set breed standards. It's different for each breed so you will see the judges checking out, for example, if a dog has loose skin on its scruff because that is part of the breed standard. They will literally grab the scruff. (That's for some terrier breeds because historically terriers hunt rodents in holes and the owners would pull them out by the scruff.) They feel the dog's musculature and check their teeth and make them run around so they can see the dog's gait and movement. For male dogs they check that the dog is intact and that both testicles have descended (yes, by touching them. The dogs are well trained to put up with being handled ..one time a Chihuahua snapped at a judge and it was quite the scandal; apparently, that particular Chihuahua had a reputation. Now you know why I miss my friend giving me the gossip).

I also used to really enjoy walking around the benching areas to see the different breeds and sometimes interact with them. However, the last couple of years I went, I felt like very few people had their dogs out, despite a lot of signs saying that the benches would be audited and you better have your dogs out or you'll be fined. The breeders tend to be much friendlier than the professional handlers (though when I went with my friend, she would tell me all the gossip about them). The pros don't want anyone touching their dogs especially if they moved on to Group.

Group judging, which is what is shown on TV, starts around noon. It never ever ever finishes on time and often goes till 8 pm. If you leave you might not get a good seat when you come back because there are always crowds coming in. Some of the seats are behind steel beams. And the announcers are not J. Peterman (though he is there and you can see him ringside) but if it's the usual guy he's fantastic and tells you about the breed and each dog. Also they edit it for TV, the group judging goes on much longer in person. And then at the end they have Best in Show, which consists of the winner of each group.

There is also dock diving and other active things like frisbee catching set up in the area between the benches and the main arena.

It's a long day, and being an introvert I find it loud and exhausting, but it can be so much fun, too, especially if people have their dogs out in the benching areas. Sometimes you see famous people like Mary Carillo filming something in the benching area. And in the main arena, it's interesting to watch the camera guys moving around to get the shots.

FYI, there is a cafe that sells expensive food and a small seating area where you will compete for a seat. I think they have some vending machines for beverages, too.

Like I said, I haven't been in several years so things may be different now.