Over the weekend, Labanoras Forest became the capital of Labrador Retrievers. The "Labrador Walk in Labanoras Forest," a tradition since 2020, gathered a record number of dogs and their owners. More than 200 canine participants, accompanied by 400 family members, took a scenic walk along the trails of Labanoras Regional Park.
The event was organized by the startup "Walk15," founded by Vlada Musvydaitė-Vilčiauskė. She started the tradition to celebrate her Labrador Vingis' first birthday. Over six years, the event has grown significantly, attracting participants from across Lithuania – including cities like Šiauliai, Panevėžys, Alytus, Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, and others.
"It all started with the idea of a fun walk to celebrate Vingis' birthday. Each year, more like-minded people join in, turning it into a beloved spring tradition. During this walk, we now celebrate not only Vingis' but also our second Labrador Lakis' birthdays," shared Vlada Musvydaitė-Vilčiauskė.
During the walk, the dogs enjoyed various outdoor activities, with the highlight being a swim in a local lake. Representatives from the Labanoras Regional Park provided educational insights about the surrounding forests and their ecological importance.
After the 5-kilometer walk, all canine participants received memorable medals and surprises, while their owners enjoyed a campfire-cooked meal.
The tradition is planned to continue, with the next walk scheduled for March next year.