Regional Specialty · New Lenox, Illinois
Great Lakes Poodle Club of Chicago Regional Specialty 2026
October 24–25, 2026 — four back-to-back specialty shows for Poodles in New Lenox, Illinois
Weekend at a glance
The Great Lakes Poodle Club of Chicago hosts its 98th, 99th, 100th & 101st specialty shows October 24–25, 2026, at the Francis Field Youth Building in New Lenox, Illinois. Four separate events — Saturday morning and afternoon, Sunday morning and afternoon — with AKC National Owner-Handled Series competition, Best Puppy in Show, and Best Bred By Exhibitor in Show at each. The Sunday-morning 100th specialty awards a Poodle Club of America .999 fine silver medallion plus $100 cash for Best of Breed.
Dates
October 24–25, 2026
Saturday & Sunday — four events: Sat AM #2026011706, Sat PM #2026011707, Sun AM #2026011708, Sun PM #2026011709
Venue
Francis Field Youth Building
801 E Francis Rd, New Lenox, IL 60451 — indoors, unbenched
Host club
Great Lakes Poodle Club of Chicago, Inc.
greatlakespoodleclub.com
Superintendent
BaRay Event Services, Inc.
PO Box 508, Burlington, WA 98233 · 360-755-7086 · [email protected]
Event Secretary: Barbara Gustafson
Entries
Entries open
Close Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:00 noon Pacific. Entries opened August 29, 2026 at 7:00 PM Pacific. Entry limit 100 per event.
Format
Regional specialty — back-to-back
Poodle (Non-Sporting Group); NOHS, Best Puppy in Show, Best Bred By Exhibitor in Show
Premium list
2026 premium list (PDF) Verified 2026
Enter the specialty
- Online entries
- BaRayEvents.com — $3.00 per dog per show
- Mail entries
- BaRay Event Services, PO Box 508, Burlington, WA 98233
- Closing
- Wednesday, October 7, 2026, 12:00 noon Pacific
- First entry and each additional entry of each dog in each event
- $35.00
- Junior Showmanship
- Not offered
The Saturday-morning, Saturday-afternoon, Sunday-morning, and Sunday-afternoon events are separate events, so a first entry fee is due for each event each day. Verified 2026
The days
Four events across two days — morning and afternoon each day. Verified 2026
| Day | What’s on |
|---|---|
| Saturday, October 24 — Morning | 98th Specialty — conformation, judged by Sandy Bingham-Porter (#2026011706) |
| Saturday, October 24 — Afternoon | 99th Specialty — conformation, judged by Timothy Catterson (#2026011707) |
| Sunday, October 25 — Morning | 100th Specialty — conformation, judged by Barbara L Burns (permit); PCA .999 fine silver medallion + $100 cash for Best of Breed (#2026011708) |
| Sunday, October 25 — Afternoon | 101st Specialty — conformation, judged by Mary Ellen Meyer (#2026011709) |
Show hours are 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM. The site is available Friday, October 23 from 1:00 PM for parking and 3:00–6:00 PM for equipment setup. No dogs are allowed in the building overnight. Verified 2026
Today’s Ring Card
Your show-day schedule, saved by date.
Judging program not yet published
No ring times or ring assignments have been verified yet. Ring cards will be built from the official program as soon as it’s out.
Breed Judge Finder
The verified judging slate for the four 2026 specialty events. Verified 2026
- Saturday AM (#2026011706)
- Ms. Sandy Bingham-Porter — all conformation
- Saturday PM (#2026011707)
- Mr. Timothy Catterson — all conformation
- Sunday AM (#2026011708)
- Mrs. Barbara L Burns* — all conformation
- Sunday PM (#2026011709)
- Mrs. Mary Ellen Meyer — all conformation
* Permit/provisional status. Judges from the Great Lakes Poodle Club of Chicago’s 2026 premium list. Verified 2026
Juniors
Junior Showmanship is not offered at the 2026 regional specialty — the premium lists no Junior Showmanship classes. Verified 2026
Specialties & supported entries
The specialty spotlight for this event.
- Event
- Great Lakes Poodle Club of Chicago Regional Specialty 2026
- Breed
- Poodle (Non-Sporting Group)
- Type
- Regional specialty — 98th, 99th, 100th & 101st specialty shows, back-to-back; AKC National Owner-Handled Series, Best Puppy in Show, Best Bred By Exhibitor in Show
- Host club
- Great Lakes Poodle Club of Chicago, Inc.
- Dates
- October 24–25, 2026 — New Lenox, Illinois
Plan your visit
Lodging
The premium lists hotels that accept well-mannered, housebroken dogs — notify the motel of your choice that you have pets, and restrict grooming to the show grounds.
- LaQuinta Inn & Suites
- 7255 W. 183rd Street, Tinley Park — 708-633-1200
- Super 8 Motel
- 9485 W. 191st Street, Mokena — 708-479-7808
RV parking
- Rate
- $10.00 per night — dry camping at the show site (no electric, water, or sewer); Friday and Saturday nights only
- Reservations
- Contact Kathy Watson at 708-269-2710 by October 16, 2026
Getting there
- From I-80
- Exit Route 30 (Maple Street) East to Cedar Road, turn left; to Francis Road, turn right — Francis Field will be on the left
- From I-355
- Exit Route 6 east to Cedar Road, turn right; to Francis Road, turn left — Francis Field will be on the left
- From Route 50 or 45
- Laraway Road or Route 30 west to Schoolhouse Road, turn right; dead-end on Francis Road, turn left — Francis Field about a mile down on the right
On site
- Photographer
- Greyhaus Photography and Design, LLC (Alyse Henderson & Samantha Charles)
- Veterinarian on call
- Emergency Animal Clinic of Mokena, 19110 S 88th Ave, Mokena, IL 60448 — 708-326-4800
GLPC provides complimentary coffee, donuts, beverages, and a potluck luncheon (including desserts) to entered exhibitors both days. Verified 2026
Documents
Official documents for the regional specialty. Verified 2026
- 2026 premium list (PDF) Verified 2026
Entries close Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 12:00 noon Pacific. Entry limit 100 per event.
Sources
- Official2026 premium list (PDF) — dates, venue, judges, fees, entries closing October 7, 2026 at 12:00 noon Pacific, hotels, RV parking
- OfficialAKC Event Search — event numbers #2026011706–#2026011709 cross-check