STARKVILLE – In Savannah Johnston’s first Starkville Derby race in 2023, two of her dogs barely made it past the starting line. But Chex, her 8-year-old dappled dachshund, quickly secured his spot in the top five.
They’ve competed in every race since and have yet to win, but this year, the Johnstons’ are going for the gold.
“I want to win a Golden (Weenie),” Johnston told The Dispatch on Wednesday. “That is my goal. … I need to win that. … But it’s exciting regardless of if they win it or not. It’s always fun.”
Johnston’s three dogs – Chex, June, 5, and Moosie, 3 – will race against more than 300 dachshunds on Saturday during the fourth annual Starkville Derby, with each dog owner hoping to take home the coveted Golden Weenie award.
The one-day derby will take over much of the Cotton District, shutting down portions of University Drive, Maxwell Street, Page Avenue and Adkerson Way.
Festival grounds will open at 9 a.m. with races scheduled to begin shortly after 11:15 a.m., Event Organizer Alden Thornhill told The Dispatch. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure their seats in the bleachers along the 100-foot, pet turf track, which will be set up in the center of University Drive.
More than 205 food and art vendors will also be set up on the grounds, along with children’s activities, a tailgating zone, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile and three “weenie-vision” jumbotrons to watch the action unfold.
While Thornhill said the event would ideally draw in every dachshund owner in the continental U.S., the pool of participants grows larger every year, with this year’s 315 contenders representing 26 states.
“We get better every year, and we get bigger every year,” Thornhill said. “Saturday, we’ve just got to hope for good weather. … Rain or sun, the dogs will run.”
Before the races begin, the event will feature a flyover from the Mississippi Aviation Academy, weather permitting, along with a performance by the Sam Grisman Project, a blessing of the track by St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and a call to post.
Participating dogs will compete in five divisions, Thornhill said, including puppies, seniors and adults. Each group will race in heats of five until an overall winner is determined in each category.
While in previous years non-dachshund racers have been permitted to compete in a “pretenders division,” Thornhill said this year’s influx of dachshund competitors forced organizers to cut the category. However, a “pretenders zone” will be set up with turf on University Drive for non-dachshunds to have their own play races.
Admission is free, but funds raised during the derby will go to the Oktibbeha County Humane Society’s general fund. Last year’s event raised about $60,000 for the organization, and organizers hope to reach $100,000 or more this year.
“We’re just looking to make sure we keep raising more and more money for … the shelter pets at Oktibbeha County Humane (Society),” Thornhill said. “… I’m looking forward to meeting all my fellow weenie dog folks and having a really good time while helping out a great cause.”
Parking will be available at the Fresh Food Company and Barnes and Noble on the Mississippi State University campus, as well as The Mill on Russell Street, First Baptist Church and Regions Bank downtown with vehicles ferrying attendees to the festival grounds.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 42 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
You can help your community
Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 42 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
