The Golden Rush is photographed by award-winning photographer Laura McClure. Hiring Laura supports The Golden Rush. See her work · Book a session →
Golden Rush Productions LLC
Arizona's Golden Retriever
Community Weekend
The Golden Rush 2026 is a wrap — and what a weekend it was. Thank you to every Golden family who made the trip to Flagstaff. We're already working on 2027.
Arizona's First Golden Retriever Community Weekend
Picture this: crisp October mountain air, the smell of ponderosa pines, and a sea of honey-colored fur taking over downtown Flagstaff. That's The Golden Rush — an annual gathering of Golden Retriever families from Arizona and beyond.
For one weekend every October we converge on Flagstaff: a mountain town where dogs are welcome everywhere, the trails go on forever, and the air smells like fall in a way that makes you want to stay. We hike together, explore downtown, take group photos, find our people, and celebrate the breed that brought us all here.
No competitions. No judges. No pressure. Just Golden families who get it. If you have one, you already belong here.
In 2026 we launched and brought together well over 200 Goldens and their families — an incredible showing for year one. In 2027 we go standalone: our own permitted event, built from the ground up. Our theme? Meet the cowboy dog above. Start thinking about your costumes. 🤠🐾
We're taking well-earned time off after the holidays and coming back with full 2027 plans in the new year. Scroll down to learn about sponsorships and how to work with us.
2027 Sponsorships & Partnerships
The Golden Rush 2027 goes standalone — a full, permitted event with a passionate, travel-ready audience of Golden families from across the Southwest. Sponsorship packages are in development.
To express interest or get on our sponsor list, reach out now:
Laura McClure, Executive Producer
[email protected]All inquiries are copied to Kathy Wollum, Event Director.
📧 Get in Touch →See It for Yourself
Thank You to Our 2026 Sponsors
None of this happens without the brands and businesses who believed in us from the start. From giveaway prizes to gift baskets to vet exams to painting parties — every sponsor made the weekend more special.
🏅 Meet Our 2026 Sponsors →📸 Send Us Your Photos & Videos
We're building a shared gallery. Send your best moments to Laura and she'll put them somewhere the whole herd can enjoy them.
📧 [email protected] →📷 View the 2026 Event Gallery →
Tag your posts #GoldenRushArizona — we repost our favorites on @azgoldenrush
The People Behind the Rush
The people building Arizona's next great Golden Retriever weekend.
The Golden Rush started the way most good ideas do — with one person who couldn't stop thinking about it. Laura McClure dreamed up this event, built it from scratch, and ran the first year largely on her own energy, vision, and sheer love of Golden Retrievers. When she found Kathy Wollum, she found the partner she didn't know she was looking for.
Laura is the creative vision and driving force behind The Golden Rush — an award-winning photographer, storyteller, and lifelong horsewoman who built the event she always wished existed. When you hire her for portraits, sessions, or brand work, a portion goes right back into building this gathering. See her photography →
Kathy brings 40 years of marketing and relationship-management experience, including leading national industry conferences. She is the day-to-day point of contact for sponsors and partners — opening doors, building trust, and representing The Golden Rush with warmth and professionalism.
Two women, a lot of Goldens, and a very big plan for 2027. 🐾
Stay in the Herd
Sign up for 2027 news, join the chat, and follow along.
Be first to know the 2027 date, location, and how to get involved.
Sign Up — Be First for 2027 →100% volunteer-run. Every dollar goes toward making 2027 bigger and more Golden.
💚 Support via Venmo @thegoldenrush · 100% goes to event costsThank you for being part of the herd. 🐾