Heartland Greyhound Adoption, a central Iowa group dedicated to the adoption of retired racing Greyhounds, is again hosting Prairie Beach: A Gathering of Champions as a reunion for Greyhounds and their families. We've got an exciting weekend planned in Altoona, Iowa, a community in the Des Moines metro area. Guests at the reunion's first five years came from more than a dozen states and a Canadian province. Join us as we build on that trend this year!

Our 2007 reunion will again be headquartered at the city of Altoona’s Lions Park, a spacious area with lots of open green space for Prairie Beach guests, both humans and hounds! We'll have fun activities for everyone in the Greyhound adoption movement. Don't forget: Vendors will be on site with Greyhound products galore and there will be treats and prizes for both humans and hounds!

Some of the highlights in our 2007 schedule include silly Greyhound Olympics for all to join in; a keynote address from a veterinarian with extensive expertise in caring for Greyhounds; a competition to determine the oldest Greyhound in attendance at Prairie Beach; a costume contest where contestants can showcase their creativity; a raffle of a galore of Greyhound-related items, a group walk, plus lots more.

The Des Moines area offers plenty for you to do and see if you want to go exploring outside of Prairie Beach! Iowa's capital city got its start in the mid-1880s as a military outpost, and today, the city and its surrounding suburbs have a population of about 600,000. The city is recognized as a center for government, education, business, culture and the arts. Check out the Iowa Attractions page here on the Prairie Beach site for a list of some of the places you may want to visit while you're in Iowa!

And for those who are still wondering, the name "Prairie Beach" is a Midwestern take on Dewey Beach, the name and site of a popular Greyhound reunion each year in Delaware. Iowa obviously is on the plains, so we decided to combine the two ideas for a name that really stands out!

A note about the weather: Fall officially arrives in Iowa in September, so the leaves will be turning and the temperatures will be getting a little cooler. We'll still enjoy comfortable temperatures during the day, but bring a jacket for any evening or nighttime activities. Be prepared to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage in our state!

Make plans to join us when it all begins on Friday, Sept. 7, and stay for a weekend of fun!

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