The 43rd Annual Turtle and Tortoise Show

Saturday, June 3, 2017, 11:00 A.M.–5:00 P.M.
Sarah Lawrence College Center for the Urban River at Beczak
35 Alexander Street, Yonkers, New York

The Annual Turtle and Tortiose Show will return to the Sarah Lawrence College Center for the Urban River at Beczak in Yonkers, New York. It is is an easy drive up from the city or down from points in Westchester County (see driving direction (PDF)). Ample parking is available. It is also just two blocks north of the Yonkers Metro North (Hudson River Line) station. Download train information (PDF).

INFORMATION AND RULES

Please note New York State regulations below.

  • While the Show has traditionally not been open to the general public, in our new venue at the Beczak Environmental Center, we welcome all patrons of the Center. Contributions will be encouraged by all guests. You must, however, be a member of the Society to enter turtles in the Show; all participants will be required to register. No sales of turtles are permitted at the show. NYTTS cannot assume liability for any animals.

  • Bring as many turtles as you like — at least one of each species you own.  This is your once-a-year opportunity to show your collection and to see the turtles of other members.  Don’t hesitate to display your turtles and tortoises even if they are a common species or are not “perfect.”

  • The primary purpose of the show is educational, and participants are encouraged to prepare educational displays to accompany their animals.  The displays may incorporate photographs, journals, models, diagrams, and other materials illustrating the natural history and/or captive husbandry and breeding of the particular species.  Displays should be self-supporting or designed for tabletop mounting.

FEES AND REGISTRATION
     To help cover the costs of the show, there will be a $4.00 fee for each turtle entered, and contributions from guests are greatly appreciated.  When you register, you will complete a registration form, and each of your turtles will be assigned a number and given a species ID card.  It is a good idea to download, print and complete the registration form in advance (go to the Registration Form MS Word document or PDF version). Present your completed form when you register (leave the registration numbers blank).  Additional registration forms will be available at the Show.  Please be on time!!  Registration begins at 11:00 a.m.  No entries will be accepted after judging begins at 1:00 p.m.  Non-exhibitors and guests are welcome at 2:00 p.m.

DISPLAY CONTAINERS
     Each exhibitor must bring appropriate containers in which to display their turtles.  Glass aquariums, bowls, plastic boxes, or wash buckets are all acceptable; clear containers improve visibility.  Water will be available for the tanks.  All containers must be escape proof!  To prevent animals overheating in the hot sun, be sure to bring adequate shading for both aquatic turtle tanks and tortoise pens (an umbrella attached to the display tables works nicely—and will come in handy in case of rain).

JUDGING
     Blue, red, and white ribbons (ratings of I, II, and III) will be granted according to merit, and a trophy will be awarded to the Best-In-Show turtle.  Judging decisions will be based upon ownership responsibility (length of ownership, general health and physical condition of the animal, and apparent quality of husbandry) and the quality of the animal (configuration, form, and uniqueness).

PERMITS AND THE LAW
     New York State law now requires permits for all native New York species:
Blanding’s turtle, Emydoidea blandingii
Bog turtle, Glyptemys (Clemmys) muhlenbergii
Eastern box turtle, Terrapene c. carolina
Diamondback terrapin, Malaclemys t. terrapin
Common map turtle, Graptemys geographica
Eastern mud turtle, Kinosternon s. subrubrum
Common musk turtle, Sternotherus odoratus
Eastern painted turtle, Chrysemys p. picta
Common snapping turtle, Chelydra s. serpentina
Eastern spiny softshell turtle, Trionyx s. spiniferus
Spotted turtle, Clemmys guttata
Wood turtle, Glyptemys (Clemmys) insculpta
Do not bring any of these species unless you can show a valid New York State permit for each New York turtle. New York also requires permits for all turtles and tortoises protected by Federal Regulation 50CFR17. Among the more common protected species are Geochelone radiata, all Gopherus species, and Podocnemis expansa and unifilis.

Don’t Forget to Bring
Your Unwanted Turtle Bric-a-brac
— Sculpture, Jewelry, etc. —
To Contribute to the NYTTS Raffle!

If you live outside the New York area and/or are unable to attend the Show — and you still have lots of turtle goodies you would like to donate — please send them to NYTTS, 1214 W. Boston Post Road, Box 267, Mamaroneck, NY 10543  Your contribution is greatly appreciated!!


DIRECTIONS TO THE SHOW

The Beczak Environmental Center is an easy drive up from the city or down from points in Westchester County. Ample parking is available. It also just two blocks north of the Yonkers Metro North (Hudson River Line) station (see map and train schedules (PDF)).

Driving Instructions:

     Recommended Route: From the Sawmill River Parkway take Exit 5 (right exit ramp from either direction) onto Yonkers Avenue going west (turn right at stop sign at end of ramp). Follow Yonkers Avenue west, which becomes Nepperhan Avenue. Continue on Nepperhan Avenue, which becomes Prospect Street. In three blocks street ends; turn right (north) onto Buena Vista Avenue. Continue north on Buena Vista (passing the Metro North railway station on your left). Street ends at Wells Avenue; turn left one block under the railway overpass, then right (north) onto Alexander Street. Beczak is one more block on your left.

Download and print this map (PDF).

For those looking for a ride, there are carpooling possibilites. If you need or can offer a ride,
or if you have further questions, please write info@nytts.org.

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