The biggest wiener dog race in the country is set to start this weekend at the inaugural Starkville Derby, welcoming participants to view 150 dogs take part.
Dozens of races will be held for each puppy’s safety throughout this year’s Dachshund Dash in Starkville’s Cotton District from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 6.
Alden Thornhill, creator and intermediary of the Starkville Sausage Dog Society, said that dogs of any ages, consisting of non-wieners, can sign up to complete.
“So we will start with the rolling of the green carpet, our turf track. Then we’ll have a call to stage like the Kentucky Derby,” Thornhill said. “We’ll start off with the seniors, then we’ll do special needs, and then we’ll do puppies, adults, and then pretenders, which are non-wiener dogs. They get to wear hot dog outfits and race each other.”
Thornhill explained that after being separated into their particular classifications, the dogs will be divided into heats up up until a finalist is selected.
“We’ll break it down until we get five finalists. The winner will get a golden wiener dog statue trophy, some goodies from BarkBox and Chewy and PetSmart,” Thornhill said. “Also, they get a rose wreath around their neck like the horses do at the Kentucky Derby. So, on that day, you don’t have to go to Kentucky to see good racing. You just come down to Starkville and you’ll get to see a true spectacle.”
Thornhill included that all profits from the occasion will be contributed to the Oktibbeha County Humane Society (OCHS).
“I think by the end of it all, we’ll have raised $16,000 for the shelter and we’re expecting more donations. We’re going to have QR codes at the bars and have banners up where they can scan them and donate directly,” Thornhill mentioned. “It’s going to be truly a tail-wagging time in our state and in our city.”
Mississippi State basketball coach Chris Jans is likewise anticipated to work as grand marshal at the races.
