CavyMadness: guinea pigs and the people who love them

pignic central

Note: if you are hosting a 2008 Pignic, please send me your details so I can update your entry!
Local Pignics are held several times a year throughout the US, with a few international Pignics as well! A Pignic is basically a casual gathering of guinea pig enthusiasts, often with fun and games, and piggies available for adoption from local rescue groups.

Before you attend a Pignic, please read these Rules for Pignics.

If you know of a Pignic in your area that's not listed below, print out this page and give it to the Pignic Coordinator so he or she can get the Pignic listed. To submit information on a Pignic, please email me with the appropriate information. All entries must have a coordinator's email address.

The Boston/Wellesley Pignic

(links in bold have dates scheduled for 2008)

Boston Pignic
Critter Corral/Chicago area Pignic
Critter Corral Open House - November
DC/MD/NoVA Pignic
Georgia PigStock: Roswell
Metropolitan GP Rescue PIGstravaganza
Minnesota Pignic
Ohio Valley, PA Pignic
SE Texas Pignic
Tampa Bay Pignic
Palm City, Florida Pignic
St. Thomas, Ontario Pignic (canada)
Toronto Pignic (canada) NEW!!!

Planning a Pignic
Add your Pignic here!

Boston Area Pignic

frequency	2-3 times a year, usually in early June and mid-September Sunday, 1 june 2008
coordinator	Tammy Rao (CavyMadness), and Sally Hurley
location	Wellesley Town Hall lawn ("the bowl"), Wellesley MA. Parking is in the Town Hall parking lot, directly across the street from the Library. (The town of Wellesley does not treat their grass. This link explains the town's policies on pesticides and treatments.)
time	noonish to 5 PM
rain plans	Sunday, 8 June (if rain OR too cold on 1 June)
activities/ bring:	Come and meet your pig-loving neighbors! No alcohol allowed, and restrooms are at a nearby Peet's Coffee. Some people bring munchies, so feel free to add to the potluck. Bring blankets and chairs, and be prepared to introduce your piggy to the group! We always construct big (separate!) pens for the girls and for the boys. CavyMadness has Pignic photo albums; we will take lots of photos!
directions	525 Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02482 we are in the grassy area next to the Town Hall building in Wellesley. There is parking right next to the building, and the commuter rail is next to us as well. Coffeeshops and pizza places are nearby. via T: Commuter Rail to Wellesley Square. Head toward the post office, and the Town Hall is a large pink-stone building to your left. We will gather in the shady area with a large depression (its called "the bowl"). Its hard to miss... via car: Directions are available at the Wellesley City Website. Parking is available. From Route 16 west, turn into the Town Hall drive, and park on the far side of Town Hall. Directly in front of you will be a large grassy area, with a huge bowl formation.

DC Pignic (DC/Northern Virginia/Maryland)

frequency	Annual. no 2008 dates yet
coordinator	pignics@tatalp.com
location	Turkey Run Park in McLean, VA. The area is a forest, so you will need to bring a blanket to put your pigs on so that they don't eat the leaves.
time	Noon - 4:00 PM
rain plans	Rain date:
activities/ bring:	This year we have decided that everyone should keep their cavies in a separate pen to avoid spreading disease or pigs getting in a fight. For this reason, please bring your own pen/cage, as well as old towels or blankets to place under your pens. There will be no spare cages, so you must bring your own! Of course, bring your pigs if at all possible. Friends and family are welcome! Bring as many people as you'd like! You may want to bring a lunch and snacks for yourself and other humans coming with you. Bring plenty of water-rich veggies for your pigs. You will also need to bring a cavy water bottle. Hay and pellets are a good idea, too. If you have any cavy related items to sell, bring them along! And here are some photos of pignics past, if you want to have a look. http://users.adelphia.net/~bhodges/Pignic2005.html http://www.wam.umd.edu/%7Ethackman/pignic.html http://s54.photobucket.com/albums/g120/DCPignics/
directions	Turkey Run Park is located in McLean, Virginia, two miles off the Capital Beltway (Interstate 495) on the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP). From beltway exit 14, follow the GWMP two miles to the Turkey Run Park exit on the right. Follow signs into the park. From Washington, D.C. and Old Town Alexandria: take the GWMP north approximately eight miles and exit right at the Turkey Run Park sign. Make first right turn into the park.

Critter Corral/Chicago area Pignic

frequency	Once a year, usually in early June Sunday, June 8 2008
coordinator	Rose, zoo357@sbcglobal.net
location	Bemis Woods Park, Grove #5, Western Springs, IL 60558
time	12 PM to 3 PM
rain plans
activities/ bring:	Potluck Pignic with fun and games for piggies and friends. A great opportunity to network with fellow piggie lovers. There will be piggies looking for forever homes. Bring: A potluck dish to share and an item from The Critter Corral Wish List. [some suggestions: AA batteries, large garbage bags, stamps, hay, food, bedding, colored pocket folders, gift certificates to Jewel or office supply stores, etc] Don't forget blankets and/or chairs and of course, your adorable piggies!! Please bring your own enclosures.
directions	Take I-294 (Tri-State Tollway) to Ogden Ave (U.S. Rte 34). Exit East and proceed to park entrance on the left (north). Follow signs to pignic grove.

Critter Corral Open House

frequency	Once a year, usually in November no 2008 dates yet
coordinator	Rose Pooler, zoo357@crittercorral.org
location	The Willard Wood Park Center 515 1st Street, Crete, IL 60417
time	1:30 PM to 4 PM
rain plans	Be there rain or shine
activities/ bring:	SAME FUN EVENT AT A NEW LOCATION FOR 2007!!! Indoor at the center will be games, contests, silent auction, drawings and pig related items for sale. Food and fun for all! Piggies are welcome. Wonderful piggies looking for wonderful homes will be guests of honor.
directions	Take Route 394 (Bishop Ford Fwy) south of I-80-294 to Exchange Street (approximately 9.5 miles) turn right (west) on Exchange and proceed 3.0 miles to Main St (aka IL Rte 1 or Dixie Hwy), turn right (north) and proceed two blocks to 1st St. Turn left (west), proceed to 515 1st Street. The Willard Wood Center is approximately 2 miles from the previous location.

Georgia PigStock: Roswell

date	no 2008 dates yet
coordinator	Christina, threebaymares@aol.com
location	Bulloch Hall grounds, in historic Roswell We will be having PigStock on the side yard of Bulloch Hall, a beautiful pre-civil war, antebellum home of President Theodore Roosevelt's mother, Mittie Bulloch that was built in 1839. The food will be served indoors right off the yard and restrooms are steps away. There is also wheelchair access.
time	2:00 to 5:30 PM
rain plans
activities/ bring:
directions	Bulloch Hall is located at 180 Bulloch Avenue in Roswell, Georgia. Directions are featured on Bulloch Hall's site.

Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue
PIGstravaganza

when	no 2008 dates yet
coordinator	Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue, events@mgpr.org
location	Reisterstown Regional Park Pavilion 401 Mitchell Drive, Reisterstown
time	1:00 to 4:00 PM
rain plans
activities/ bring:	Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue – a local nonprofit guinea pig rescue, rehabilitation and adoption organization – is hosting its second annual fall pignic in Baltimore County. This pignic is free and open to the public. All are invited to attend. Make sure to bring your furry cavy friends! No RSVP required.
directions	From the Baltimore Beltway (I-695), take exit 19 for I-795N towards Reisterstown. Continue on I-795 until the expressway ends. Follow the signs for Reisterstown Regional Park, staying in the left lane. Take a left at the first light onto Rt. 140 west. Follow the sign that says to Mitchell Drive. Turn left onto Mitchell Drive (2nd quick opening in highway). Make left at STOP sign and proceed across interchange into the park. Park entrance is straight ahead.

Minnesota Pignic

frequency	Sponsored by the Twin Cities Guinea Pig Rescue no 2008 dates yet
coordinator	Allysse at tcgpr@comcast.net
location	Cherokee Park, St. Paul Located on Cherokee Boulevard, between Annapolis and Baker Streets. Visit website for more information.
time	11 AM to 5 PM
rain plans
activities/ bring:
directions	Available on the Cherokee Park website

Ohio Valley, PA Pignic

frequency	Once a year no 2008 dates yet
coordinator	Angel, isaacshaven@comcast.net
location	Settler's Cabin Park, Oakdale, PA
time	1 PM. We will be there by 12:30 pm to set up, so anyone staying at the hotel the night before the pignic is welcome to come meet with us while we set up.
rain plans
activities/ bring:
directions	Settler's Cabin Park is located at 1225 Greer Road in Oakdale, PA. Mapquest Directions and helpful information are available on the park's website.

SE Texas Pignic (Houston area)

frequency	Once a year - starting in 2006! :) no 2008 dates yet
coordinator	Carla at cmartinez36@houston.rr.com; or Monica at castaway_5@yahoo.com
location	Bear Creek Park Duck Pond area (visit Mapquest for directions)
time	6:30 PM
rain plans
activities/ bring:
directions	visit Mapquest for directions

Tampa Bay Pignic

frequency	Usually 2-3 times a year(?) no 2008 dates
coordinator	Dana, dfhakes@aol.com or Deb, debg43@ij.net
location	Largo SPCA Education Building 9099 130th Avenue,Largo,FL view map
time	11 AM to 2 PM
rain plans
activities/ bring:
directions	Largo SPCA Education Building 9099 130th Avenue,Largo,FL view map

Palm City, Florida Pignic

frequency	Once a year no 2008 dates
coordinator	Chad, chad@pigloo.net
location	Barbara Osborn's home 1309 SW Seahawk Way Palm City, FL 34990
time	12 Noon to....?
rain plans
activities/ bring:
directions

St. Thomas, Ontario Pignic CANADA

frequency	Annually May 25, 2008
coordinator	Selina, arabandme@hotmail.com
location	Pinafore Park St. Thomas, ON
time	1 pm to 4 pm
rain plans	Pignic is on, rain or shine!
activities/ bring:	Please bring chairs or blankets to sit on. There will be some drinks and food, but don't hestitate to bring some food for people and cavies. Washrooms are nearby. I have some games to play such as apple on a string. I will be constructing a large sows and boars pen (separate of course).
directions	from Windsor: 401 East, exit off Col. Talbot Road South (Hwy 4), turn right on Sunset Drive, left on Elm Street and Park is on right hand side from Toronto: 401 West, exit off Wellington Road South in London (turns into Sunset Drive), left on Elm Street and Park is on right hand side

Toronto Pignic CANADA

frequency	Annually Saturday, 24 May, 2008
coordinator	Stephanie, stephpellatt@hotmail.com
location	Trinity Bellwoods Park (by the logs, north of the children's play area)
time	12 pm to 3 pm
rain plans	Saturday, 31 May
activities/ bring:	your own pen/cage, as well as old towels or blankets to place under your pens. There will be no spare cages, so you must bring your own! Best thing to bring are linking cubes for pens. You will also need to bring a cavy water bottle. Hay and pellets are a good idea, too. If you have any cavy related items to sell, bring them along!
directions	Trinity Bellwoods Park (Wikipedia)

Planning a Pignic

I get a lot of emails on how to start a Pignic. It only requires a little bit of work at the start -- you must find a gathering place that is easily accessible to everyone, and is free of chemicals if you are outside. The area should not be a popular dog-playing place, either. Having shade is essential; for many Pignics, people meet near trees. Bathroom facilities should be nearby. State Parks are a great option.

For some parks, you must obtain a permit to meet. This can easily be obtained through the park's governing authority. Generally, these are the people who could tell you if the grass is free of chemicals and generally dog-free as well. Once you have chosen a date and have your permit, all you have to do is get the word out! Some Pignics have planned activities, and others are just a casual picnic gathering. Look at the Pignics featured above for ideas.

You will definitely want to suggest that people bring materials to help set up and expand pens. In the photo above, white wire shelving has been used to create a boys' pen, while Creative Cubes border the (much more crowded) Girls' Pen. At the very top of the photo, you will notice that a cage top has been used - this is a "solitary confinement" idea for pigs that do not get along well with others. Twist ties are essential, so bring a lot.

Another essential item is "wet" veggies and fruits, like cucumber and melon, that will help prevent the piggies from becoming too dehyrated in the sun. Make sure your spot has some shade and/or dappled sunlight, for both people and pigs.

Once everyone arrives at your Pignic, it is a great idea to get a general consensus of how often you would want to meet, and whether the location you chose is ideal. Then, just plan on returning to that spot the next time! The New England Pignic, the original, has been happening since 1996 at the same place -- Stanley Park in Westfield, Massachusetts. The location was chosen to accommodate people coming from upstate New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Many people will drive a couple of hours to spend a day with fellow piggy fanatics. :)

Pignic Rules and Etiquette

Before you attend the Pignic, check your piggies for lice or any disease. If your pig shows signs of lice, please do not take him or her to a Pignic. If you are unsure about checking for lice, have the Pignic Coordinator check your pig upon arrival - and of course, if your pig is contagious at ALL, keep him or her in a separate pen!

Pens are for pigs, not for people. Please stay out of the pens. People stepping into the pens pose a huge risk of injury to the pigs. If the pens are set up to be long and narrow, people should be able to reach into the pens to retrieve guinea pigs if needed.

Label the pens. Signs clipped on the pen walls indicating Girls and Boys will help new arrivals get placed in the right pen.

Keep chairs/kennels/bags/etc a few feet away from the pens. People are by the pens all the time, and the less clutter around the pens, the less likely an accident will happen. And on that thought....

If you are next to the pens: kneel or sit. We love to chat about our piggies, and we all love to be right next to the pens. Keeping low while next to the pens allows everyone to have a clear view, and minimizes the risk of tripping over the walls of the pens.

Handle piggies with care. If you are still a novice, ask before you pick up ANY pig. Guinea pigs have different personalities, and people can be bitten if they hold guinea pigs incorrectly. Even worse, startled pigs can (and many have!) jump out of laps. Some more thoughts on handling pigs:

Use towels to pick up and hold pigs. Many guinea pigs are nervous at being picked up. Having a hand towel available to wrap them up will give you a better handle on the pig, and give the pig a little more security. Towels are always available at Pignics.
Do not hold a boar next to the sows' pen, or vice versa. The scent of the opposite sex can cause stress, or worse - cause fights! Keep boys and girls separate, and make sure you return the pig to the right pen!
Be aware of stressful stimuli. Car horns, trains, and other ambient sounds can startle piggies and cause them to bolt.
Finally, keep handling to a minimum. Children, especially, get excited about holding pigs, and often try to pick up many pigs during a Pignic. Try to be gentle, calm, and aware that Pignics are for relaxation - for piggies and people alike!

Pigs do not always play well with others. Observe your pig(s) throughout the Pignic. Even docile piggies can get aggressive, and many Pignics have seen some pretty angry fighting. Small "timeout" pens should always be available, and known aggressive piggies should be kept separate from the main pens.

Don't be afraid to ask questions. There is a wealth of knowledge at these pignics. People come from a variety of backgrounds and have a ton of hands-on experience with a bunch of different issues. How to trim nails, clean anal sacs, what to look for illnesses, where to find good hay and pellets, where to find a good vet. If you are skilled in nail trimming, bring your tools and teach beginners how to trim nails!

Photos from past Pignics are available on the CavyMadness Photo Gallery page.

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