- Date: Saturday, November 21, 2026
- Show hours: 8 AM to 8 PM
- Entry fee: $38.00 per dog
- Entries open: Monday, October 12, 2026 (noon Pacific)
- Entries close: Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at noon Pacific (2 PM Central)
- Enter online: BaRayEvents.com
- Superintendent: BaRay Event Services, 360-755-7086, dogshows@barayevents.com
The Basics
Q: What is the NOHS Regional? A: It is a non-titling competition for owner-handled dogs, run as its own event with its own entry form and entry fee. It is structured like the NOHS Finals in Orlando, and it is the second NOHS Regional of the 2026-27 season (Cornhusker Kennel Club in Lincoln, NE, is the first).
Q: When and where is it? A: Saturday, November 21, 2026 at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E Peterson Rd, Grayslake, IL 60030, at the corner of Peterson and Midlothian. Show hours are 8 AM to 8 PM. Rings may be indoors or outdoors; indoor rings are climate controlled. Ring locations can change up to the day of the show.
Q: Does it count toward the AKC NOHS Finals in Orlando? A: Yes. Points earned at this Regional count toward the 2027 Finals qualifying year.
Entering
Q: How do I enter? A: The Regional is a separate entry. Ticking the Owner-Handled box on an all-breed show entry does NOT enter your dog in the Regional. Enter online at BaRayEvents.com, or mail an official AKC entry form with payment to BaRay Event Services, PO Box 508, Burlington, WA 98233. Fax, phone and email entries are not accepted. Online entries carry a $3.00 per dog, per show charge for credit cards.
Q: What is the entry fee? A: $38.00 per dog.
Q: When do entries close? A: Wednesday, November 4, 2026 at noon Pacific (2 PM Central). No entries can be accepted, canceled or substituted after closing except as the AKC dog show rules allow. Refunds for cancellations made before closing are mailed after the show, less a $5.00 administrative fee.
Q: When and where is it? A: Saturday, November 21, 2026 at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1060 E Peterson Rd, Grayslake, IL 60030, at the corner of Peterson and Midlothian. Show hours are 8 AM to 8 PM. Rings may be indoors or outdoors; indoor rings are climate controlled. Ring locations can change up to the day of the show.
Q: Is there an entry limit? A: Conformation entries are limited to 1,200 dogs each day. No separate limit is listed for the Regional.
Q: Which dogs and exhibitors are eligible? A: Eligibility is the same as NOHS at a regular show. Any breed or variety, either sex, puppy to Champion, may enter when exhibited by an eligible owner. Professional handlers, members of their households and current assistants to professional handlers are not eligible. Full rules: AKC NOHS Regulations at akc.org.
Q: Does the regular Saturday all-breed show also offer NOHS? A: No. NOHS Best of Breed and NOHS Groups are offered Friday (Kenosha KC) and Sunday (Starved Rock KC). On Saturday the NOHS competition is the Regional.
The Competition
Q: How is the Regional judged? A: Each breed or variety has a single class of all dogs, regardless of championship status or sex. The judge selects NOHS Best of Breed from that class, and the winner advances to its Group. Group firsts compete for Regional Best in Show and Reserve Best in Show. Groups may be held at the same time.
Q: Do I earn championship points? A: No. The Regional is non-titling.
Q: What NOHS points can I earn? A: Regional wins earn double the standard NOHS points: Best in Show - 200 Reserve Best in Show - 150 Group 1 - 60 Group 2 - 40 Group 3 - 30 Group 4 - 20 Best of Breed - 10
Q: Who is judging? A: Sporting and Hound Groups: Linda M. Riedel Working Group: Debra Thornton Terrier and Toy Groups: Rosalind Kramer Non-Sporting Group: Dr. Troy C. Dargin Herding Group: Walter J. Sommerfelt Regional Best in Show and Reserve: Wayne R. Cavanaugh Each Group judge also judges every breed in that Group. Judges are subject to AKC approval.
Q: What ribbons and rosettes are awarded? A: Breed placements: 1st Rose, 2nd Brown, 3rd Light Green, 4th Gray. Groups 1 to 4: Neon Pink, Neon Green, Teal, Cream. Regional Best in Show: Turquoise. Regional Reserve Best in Show: Light Green.
Q: What prizes are offered? A: Sponsored rosettes are offered for Owner-Handled Best in Show, Reserve Best in Show and the Sporting, Hound, Working, Toy and Non-Sporting Groups. All trophies must be claimed on show day; none are mailed.
Q: Are Junior Showmanship and the 4-6 Month Puppy competition part of the Regional? A: No. On Saturday the all-breed show offers Junior Showmanship (judge Linda M. Riedel) and the 4-6 Month Beginner Puppy Competition (judge Carol C. Sommerfelt) as separate events with their own entries. Fees: Junior Showmanship only $25; 4-6 Month Beginner Puppy $25.
Questions?
Club: skokievalleykc@gmail.com or Chat Button Website
Entries and superintendent: BaRay Event Services, 360-755-7086, dogshows@barayevents.com
AKC NOHS Regional program: ClubDevelopment@akc.org
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Answers are based on the Fall Harvest Cluster premium list and the AKC NOHS Regional FAQs. The premium list and AKC rules govern if anything here differs.