How much should I take?

I assume based on past postings you may very likely be headed to Louisville.  Only take as much money as you want to spend,  you will understand when you see all the vendors.

 At any rate, take an easy to carry chair.  I would suggest lunch, water and snacks because the food is expensive,  maybe enough for a treat with your major food coming from home.  You will need parking money and entrance money.  I do not remember that price.  Figure under 10.00 for parking,,, and maybe 5 for entry.

There will be a TON of cool stuff there to buy, and a lot of it is stuff you won't see anywhere BUT at dog shows. MRV's advice is good. Take only what you're ready to spend, because you'll probably spend it ALL, LOL.

At our last dog show, I got a really awesome chair with Emma's name embroidered on the back of it. It has a fold out table, a ton of  pockets, and a carrying strap. I've been not buying one of those chairs for... two years, LOL. I finally just had to have one, so I brought the money for it. There's collars, leashes, toys, brushes, combs, crates, clothing (for you AND the dogs), jewelery, eep. One of my favorite parts of the dog show experience is the shopping. 

 Ok thanks. So 200 to 300 dollars should do me at the dog show?!

Probably shouldnt take that much but I've never been to a dog show.

And yes I will be going to the one in Louisville. It's 6 dollars to get in but I dont know what parking is. And I plan on taking Lillie. Is there anything I need to know about taking a dog with me? 

Where in Louisville and when? This is exciting!

You are not supposed to take unentered dogs.    Some folks can just breeze on by and not get stopped.  However in Louisville I would not take the chance even if I was on state property.  I think you will enjoy the show a whole lot more your first time if you can concentrate without worrying about Lily.  Think really crowded state fair kinds of crowds with lots of dogs and not much manuvering room in some places.  Your dog really needs to be exposed to far less than a show if this size to be comfortable.

Louisville is the  March 13, 14, 15, and 16.  There are also combined specialties (single breed dog shows) that may start even earlier.  It is at the KY expo center.

Nora and I are entered in Open Bitch Malinois on Fri, Sat, Sun.  There is regional specialty for Tervs and supported entries for all belgians, so there may be a lot of us for a change.

Ohhh, fun. That sounds like a really cool show!

$200-300 will give you LOTS of fun things I usually try to bring $200 for a bigger show. I've spent as little as $20 at a show, but there weren't many vendors and I wasn't in the mood to shop.

Agreed, Jennie!  Dobe Nationals had me spending on things I wanted just to commemorate the event - and to thank my trainer and training partner for the last year of great work.  There's always that *something* you never saw before and want it.  If you plan on attending more shows in the future, then you can usually wait.  But a BIG show brings vendors that smaller ones don't - so don't miss you chance to snag something really unique.  ENJOY!!!!

I went to a few cluster shows this summer.  I took my camera, snacks, drinks, and my own camping chairs.  Besides parking and some more food, I didn't really need any money.  There were a lot of vendors, but most of the stuff was over-priced agility equipment and kitschy stuff.  I had better luck finding useful quality stuff at agility shows.

I wouldn't take any dogs.  At least at the shows I went to, there wasn't really any space for dogs (all the entered dogs were crated and groomed in special areas).  AKC shows don't allow non-entered dogs. 

OK, writing this down in my planner. This folks, is more or less around the corner from my house. I have a friend going into the hospital on Monday but I am sure I can sneak over Saturday.

As for the rules here in Jefferson County, the dog law, bites.